Yen Stabilizes Near Lows as Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene Amid Dollar Weakness 
South Korea Central Bank Warns of Rising Financial Stability Risks Amid Won Volatility 
Global Markets Rise as Tech Stocks Lead, Yen Strengthens, and Commodities Hit Record Highs 
Gold Price Breaks $4,500 as Safe-Haven Demand and Rate Cut Bets Fuel Rally 
Why U.S. Coffee Prices Are Staying High Despite Trump’s Tariff Rollbacks 
China’s Power Market Revamp Fuels Global Boom in Energy Storage Batteries 
U.S. Stocks Rally to Record Highs as AI Rebound Fuels Holiday-Shortened Session 
Global Demand for Yuan Loans and Bonds Surges as China Pushes Currency Internationalization 
IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement With Egypt, Opening Path to $3.8 Billion in Funding 
RBA Signals Possible Interest Rate Hike in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Gold Prices Surge to Record Highs as Geopolitical Tensions Fuel Safe-Haven Demand 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as Strong U.S. Growth and Supply Risks Support Market 
Platinum Price Surges Past $2,000 as Demand and Supply Dynamics Tighten 
Japan Plans $189 Billion Bond Issuance as Record Budget Signals Expansionary Fiscal Policy 
U.S. Dollar Slips as Yen Finds Support on Intervention Signals and Geopolitical Risks Rise 
Asian Stock Markets Trade Flat as Holiday Liquidity Thins and BOJ Minutes Watched 
Most Asian stocks declined Wednesday as risk appetite waned following U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed tariff threats. Weak U.S. economic data also weighed on sentiment, while Hong Kong markets stood out with strong gains in Chinese tech stocks.
Wall Street’s losses extended for a fourth session as weak consumer confidence data heightened concerns over a slowing U.S. economy. Trump’s tariff threats on copper, along with his plans for 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico by early March, added to market jitters.
Despite this, U.S. stock futures edged higher in Asian trade, hinting at potential bargain buying ahead of Nvidia’s earnings release later in the day.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index surged over 2%, nearing a two-year high, as investors remained bullish on China’s artificial intelligence sector. Major tech players like Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu led the rally, fueled by optimism over AI-driven growth. Gains extended into broader Chinese markets, with the Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 seeing mild increases.
However, other Asian tech stocks struggled as investors turned cautious ahead of Nvidia’s earnings. Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 0.5%, while South Korea’s KOSPI dipped 0.1%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn), key Nvidia suppliers, also saw modest declines.
Broader Asian markets remained weak due to concerns over U.S. economic data and trade risks. Australia’s ASX 200 fell 0.3% after inflation data suggested limited scope for rate cuts. Japan’s TOPIX dropped 1.1%, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index remained flat.
Overall, uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policies and economic growth continued to pressure global markets, with investors closely watching Nvidia’s earnings for further direction.
