Japan Plans $189 Billion Bond Issuance as Record Budget Signals Expansionary Fiscal Policy 
BOJ Minutes Reveal Growing Debate Over Interest Rate Hikes and Inflation Risks 
Platinum Price Surges Past $2,000 as Demand and Supply Dynamics Tighten 
IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement With Egypt, Opening Path to $3.8 Billion in Funding 
Taiwan Stock Market Ends Higher as Semiconductor and Energy Shares Lead Gains 
Asian Markets Rise as AI Rally Caps 2025, Gold and Silver Hit Record Highs 
South Korea Central Bank Warns of Rising Financial Stability Risks Amid Won Volatility 
China Keeps Benchmark Lending Rates Steady as Economic Outlook Remains Cautious 
Asian Stocks Rise as Wall Street Tech Rally Lifts Markets, Yen Slumps Despite BOJ Rate Hike 
Gold Prices Surge to Record Highs as Geopolitical Tensions Fuel Safe-Haven Demand 
UK Economy Grows 0.1% in Q3 2025 as Outlook Remains Fragile 
Asian Stock Markets Trade Flat as Holiday Liquidity Thins and BOJ Minutes Watched 
German Exports to the U.S. Decline Sharply as Tariffs Reshape Trade in 2025 
Oil Prices Ease in Asia as Geopolitical Risks Clash With Weak Demand Outlook 
UBS Warns of Short-Term Risks as Precious Metals Rally to Record Highs 
Asian markets started the week strong, buoyed by a weaker dollar, China's ongoing recovery, and a shift from U.S.-centric trades. Japan's Q4 GDP data, expected to show 1.0% annualized growth, is a key focus, with business investment offsetting weak consumption.
The dollar hit a two-month low due to delays in U.S. tariff implementations, marking its longest losing streak since August. Emerging market currencies are rising against the greenback, except for the Indian rupee. The MSCI Asia ex-Japan index surged 8% over the past month, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng jumped 20%, and its tech index soared 30%.
China's tech giants Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent, and Xiaomi (BATX) have gained 22% since Trump's inauguration, outperforming America's 'Magnificent Seven,' which remained flat. Analysts highlight that BATX's $1 trillion market cap pales in comparison to the Mag Seven's $17 trillion, indicating potential growth if China continues excelling in AI.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co and Broadcom are reportedly exploring deals that could split Intel, further shaking up the global chip industry. Geopolitical tensions in the Russia-Ukraine war remain in focus as French President Macron hosts an emergency European summit, with peace talks seemingly limited to the U.S. and Russia. Prospects of peace are driving oil and the dollar lower while boosting European and Asian stocks.
Key upcoming data include Japan and Thailand's Q4 GDP figures, which could further influence market trends. Investors are keenly watching these developments as Asian markets continue their upward trajectory.
