Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
The euro rebounded from a 2.5-week low against the U.S. dollar on Monday, gaining 0.4% to $1.0415 as European leaders moved towards a Ukraine peace plan. Sterling also advanced 0.2% to $1.2602 after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed Europe's initiative to present a peace proposal to Washington.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin surged nearly 11% to $92,905, briefly touching $94,852.56. The rally followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s social media post naming Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and Cardano as part of a new strategic cryptocurrency reserve. Bitcoin had dipped to $78,273.03 on Friday, its lowest since mid-November, before rebounding.
The Canadian dollar and Mexican peso each rose 0.2%, trading at C$1.4439 and 20.4891 pesos per U.S. dollar. The gains came after U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick hinted that planned 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico might be reduced. Trump is still expected to impose additional 10% levies on China.
The Australian and New Zealand dollars bounced from one-month lows, rising 0.2% and 0.1%, respectively, to $0.6220 and $0.5606. The yen slipped 0.1% to 150.52 per dollar, while China's yuan edged up 0.1% to 7.2873 per dollar in offshore trading.
The U.S. dollar index eased 0.1% to 107.21. However, analysts at Commonwealth Bank of Australia predict the dollar’s rally will resume as the U.S.-China trade war escalates, with "peak tariff" levels yet to be reached.
