Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Asian Stocks Mixed as U.S. Treasury Yields Rise
Asian stocks performed mixed on Wednesday, as rising U.S. Treasury yields and uncertainty around the upcoming U.S. presidential election kept investors cautious. Most regional markets followed a flat lead from Wall Street, which saw mixed corporate earnings and subdued optimism.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index Surges on IPO Strength
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index led the region, rising 1.7%. The market was buoyed by a strong debut from China Resources Beverage, which saw its shares soar by 14%. The company raised $540 million in its IPO, marking Hong Kong’s second-largest IPO of the year. This followed Horizon Robotics, which raised $696 million earlier in the week, fueling optimism about a recovery in Hong Kong's IPO market after a prolonged slump.
Chinese Markets Extend Gains on Stimulus Measures
China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 indexes rose 0.4% and 0.2%, respectively, as Beijing's recent stimulus measures boosted investor sentiment. A surprise interest rate cut from the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) on Monday and expectations of further liquidity injections helped support Chinese stocks.
Other Asian Markets Struggle for Direction
Elsewhere, Japan's Nikkei 225 and TOPIX indices remained flat amid anticipation of a general election and an upcoming Bank of Japan meeting. Australia’s ASX 200 and South Korea's KOSPI also saw minimal movement, while India's Nifty 50 futures pointed to a weak open due to profit-taking and capital outflows.
