Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
A solid close on Wall Street overnight translated into somewhat softer gains in Asia on Thursday morning. Asian markets were generally higher on Thursday, with a slew of manufacturing data from the region prompting little reaction, while Chinese bourses were closed.
Chinese stock markets were shut on Thursday in observance of National Day. Chinese factory activity continued to deteriorate last month as new work fell at the quickest rate in three years, raising fresh calls for policymakers to add more stimulus as the economy continues to slow. The Caixin-Markit China manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 47.2 in September, the lowest since March 2009, from 47.3 in August, coming in stronger than the preliminary reading of 47.0. The Purchasing Managers' Index rose from 49.7 in August to 49.8 last month, signalled a slight moderation in the industry's contraction.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index rose 0.27% to 17,435.02 points within the first hour of trade, while Tokyo's broader Topix gauge jumped 0.64% to 1,420.25 points. The Bank of Japan (BoJ) Tankan Manufacturing Index of large-scale factories fell from 15 to 12 in the September quarter.
Korea's benchmark Kospi index advanced 0.21% to 1,966.90 points this morning in Seoul.
The benchmark Australian S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.80% to 5,061.90 points in Sydney, with Australia's big lenders supporting the index, as well as resource stocks.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index fell 0.18% to 5,583.35 points this afternoon in Wellington.
