Asian Stocks Waver as Trump Signals Fed Pick, Shutdown Deal and Tech Earnings Stir Markets 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Second Week as Tariff Threats and Iran Tensions Shake Markets 
Oil Prices Hit Four-Month High as Geopolitical Risks and Supply Disruptions Intensify 
U.S. and El Salvador Sign Landmark Critical Minerals Agreement to Boost Investment and Trade 
Copper Prices Hit Record Highs as Metals Rally Gains Momentum on Geopolitical Tensions 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
Indonesian Stocks Plunge as MSCI Downgrade Risk Sparks Investor Exodus 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Retreats After Fed Decision 
UK Vehicle Production Falls Sharply in 2025 Amid Cyberattack, Tariffs, and Industry Restructuring 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Lower as Tech Earnings and Fed Decision Shape Market Sentiment 
South Korea Industry Minister Heads to Washington Amid U.S. Tariff Hike Concerns 
Dollar Struggles as Policy Uncertainty Weighs on Markets Despite Official Support 
Asia Stocks Pause as Tech Earnings, Fed Signals, and Dollar Weakness Drive Markets 
Indonesia Stocks Face Fragile Sentiment After MSCI Warning and Market Rout 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Gold Prices Hit Record High Above $5,500 as Iran Strike Fears Fuel Safe-Haven Demand 
Gold Prices Pull Back After Record Highs as January Rally Remains Strong 
European stocks remained flat on Tuesday as gains in defence stocks balanced losses in the technology sector, which faced pressure from escalating U.S.-China tensions over semiconductor restrictions.
The pan-European STOXX 600 inched up 0.07% as of 0816 GMT. Technology stocks were the biggest laggards, dropping 0.9%, amid reports that the U.S. plans to tighten semiconductor export restrictions on China. Semiconductor giants STMicroelectronics and ASML slid 1.4% and 1.6%, respectively, while AI-exposed stocks Schneider Electric and Siemens Energy lost 1.3% and 2.2%.
Consumer goods leader Unilever saw its shares drop 3% after announcing CEO Hein Schumacher will step down, to be replaced by CFO Fernando Fernandez.
On the other hand, the European aerospace and defence sector surged over 1%, driven by reports that Germany’s potential new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, is in talks to approve €200 billion ($209.44 billion) in defence spending. German arms manufacturers Rheinmetall, Hensoldt, and Renk climbed 2.6%, 2.5%, and 6.1%, respectively.
Industrial conglomerate Thyssenkrupp soared 6% after its CEO confirmed plans for a shareholder meeting ahead of a warship division spin-off.
Investors remain cautious as geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty continue to drive market fluctuations.
