RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Asian Markets Drop as U.S. Treasury Yields Pressure Tech Stocks
Asian stocks slipped on Thursday, weighed down by rising U.S. Treasury yields and weak regional economic data. Tech-heavy indexes in South Korea and Hong Kong were among the worst performers, tracking Wall Street’s overnight decline as investors reacted to higher yields and risk aversion.
U.S. Tech Losses Hit Asian Markets
South Korea’s KOSPI dipped 0.2%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 0.7%, both hit hard by tech sector losses. Rising U.S. Treasury yields pushed markets to expect slower interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, further dampening investor sentiment.
South Korea's economic outlook worsened as its third-quarter GDP growth missed expectations, while Japan's economy showed signs of contraction in both manufacturing and services sectors. The Nikkei 225 index gained slightly, but the TOPIX fell 0.2% following weaker-than-expected Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) data.
Bright Spots in Tech Amid Broader Declines
Despite broader market losses, South Korea’s SK Hynix Inc. rose 1% after reporting record earnings driven by strong demand in artificial intelligence (AI) chips. Horizon Robotics saw an impressive debut on the Hong Kong stock market, with shares surging 28% following its $696 million IPO—the largest in Hong Kong this year.
China and India Show Mixed Market Trends
Chinese stocks also dipped, with the Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 losing 0.4% and 0.6% after a four-day rally on optimism surrounding government stimulus measures. Meanwhile, Australia’s ASX 200 rose 0.3%, helped by growing service sector activity, while Indian markets are set for a positive opening after three days of declines, buoyed by key earnings reports.
