Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Asian equities advanced on Thursday, lifted by a renewed rally in global technology stocks and growing expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in December. The positive sentiment followed Wall Street’s continued rebound, with major U.S. indexes marking a fourth consecutive session of gains and S&P 500 futures edging up roughly 0.1% in early Asian trade.
Chinese markets saw modest gains as investors positioned themselves for potential new stimulus measures from Beijing, even as concerns over the country’s property market resurfaced. The Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 rose between 0.5% and 0.7%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 0.4%. Tech and industrial stocks supported the uptick, but persistent pressure in real estate limited broader upside. China Vanke shares dropped more than 6% after investors aggressively sold off its bonds amid doubts about the company’s ability to meet upcoming debt obligations. Vanke’s request to delay several bond payments marked a first for the developer, fueling fears of one of the sector’s worst potential defaults. Other property names, including Sunac China and China Overseas, also slipped over 1%.
Weak economic indicators in recent months have intensified expectations that Beijing will introduce more support for the slowing economy, with reports suggesting additional property market assistance and consumer-focused subsidies are under consideration.
Across the region, technology-led gains helped lift broader Asian benchmarks. South Korea’s KOSPI climbed 1.3% after the Bank of Korea held interest rates steady, though policymakers remained divided on future cuts. Japan’s Nikkei 225 also gained 1.3%, supported by stronger tech sentiment and eased diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing. Shares of SoftBank Group surged 3.6% as they continued to recover from recent lows.
Australia’s ASX 200 rose 0.1%, held back by concerns the Reserve Bank of Australia may delay further rate cuts following stronger inflation data. Singapore’s Straits Times Index edged up 0.3%, while India’s Nifty 50 futures added 0.1% after a solid prior session.
