Trump to Announce New Federal Reserve Chair Pick as Powell Replacement Looms 
U.S. and El Salvador Sign Landmark Critical Minerals Agreement to Boost Investment and Trade 
Thailand Moves to Regulate Gold Trading to Curb Baht Strength and Support Economic Growth 
Copper Prices Hit Record Highs as Metals Rally Gains Momentum on Geopolitical Tensions 
Indonesia Stocks Face Fragile Sentiment After MSCI Warning and Market Rout 
South Korea Industry Minister Heads to Washington Amid U.S. Tariff Hike Concerns 
Starmer’s China Visit Signals New Era in UK–China Economic Relations 
Dollar Struggles as Policy Uncertainty Weighs on Markets Despite Official Support 
Gold Prices Pull Back After Record Highs as January Rally Remains Strong 
UK Housing Market Gains Momentum in Early 2026 as Mortgage Rates Fall 
Philippine Economy Slows in Late 2025, Raising Expectations of Further Rate Cuts 
Indonesian Stocks Plunge as MSCI Downgrade Risk Sparks Investor Exodus 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
Trump Threatens 50% Tariff on Canadian Aircraft Amid Escalating U.S.-Canada Trade Dispute 
Asian Stocks Waver as Trump Signals Fed Pick, Shutdown Deal and Tech Earnings Stir Markets 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
The U.S. dollar hovered near two-month lows on Tuesday as investors weighed trade tariff uncertainties and the Federal Reserve's rate cut outlook. The dollar index edged up 0.1% to 106.83 but remained close to Friday’s low of 106.56. Traders are awaiting the Federal Reserve’s January meeting minutes on Wednesday for insights into policymakers’ stance on tariffs and inflation.
Recent data showing U.S. consumer prices rose at the fastest pace in 18 months reinforced the Fed’s cautious approach to rate cuts. ANZ strategists predict no rate cuts until the second half of 2025, expecting 75 basis points of easing, while markets anticipate 40 bps cuts this year.
The Japanese yen held firm at 151.61 per dollar after strong Q4 GDP data and persistent inflation boosted expectations of a Bank of Japan rate hike in July. The yen has gained nearly 4% against the dollar in 2025.
The euro remained steady at $1.04735, and the British pound traded at $1.2608 ahead of Saudi-hosted Ukraine peace talks. The Australian dollar, down 0.17% to $0.63459, stayed near its two-month high of $0.6374, with the Reserve Bank of Australia expected to cut rates by 25 bps. Economists at Commonwealth Bank of Australia noted the AUD could surge over 1% if the RBA holds rates steady.
The New Zealand dollar dropped 0.3% to $0.57195 as markets anticipated a 50 bps rate cut from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand on Wednesday.
Investors remain cautious, focusing on central bank policies, inflation trends, and geopolitical developments.
