Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
The MSCI global equities index fell on Monday, and the dollar rose after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell suggested that the central bank was not in a rush to cut interest rates. Oil futures remained flat, with trading volatility driven by tensions in the Middle East.
Brent Crude Suffers Significant Losses for Month and Quarter
Brent crude, a global benchmark, recorded its largest monthly drop since November 2022 and its biggest quarterly loss in a year. It slumped 17% in the third quarter as fears over reduced global demand overshadowed concerns about supply disruptions from the Middle East.
U.S. Markets React to Powell’s Comments
Wall Street experienced a mixed session, with some investors expecting more substantial easing from the Fed. However, Powell’s suggestion of two 25 basis point rate cuts this year, if economic conditions align with expectations, indicated a more measured approach.
“There were some expectations for a 50 basis point cut by the end of the year. That comment probably took it off the table,” said Robert Phipps, director at Per Stirling Capital Management in Austin, Texas.
Wall Street Performance and Quarter-End Adjustments
Despite initial declines during Powell’s speech, U.S. indexes rebounded, driven partly by quarter-end adjustments to portfolios. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.04% to 34,330.15, the S&P 500 rose 0.42% to 4,562.48, and the Nasdaq Composite increased 0.38% to 13,189.17. For the month, the S&P 500 gained 2.01%, and it rose 5.53% for the quarter.
Dollar Strengthens as Rate Cut Hopes Dim; Treasury Yields Rise
The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, rose 0.32% to 100.76. The euro fell 0.27% to $1.1133, while the dollar strengthened 1% against the Japanese yen to 143.61. Treasury yields also rose, with the 10-year note yield up 3.6 basis points to 3.785%.
Energy and Precious Metals Market Update
In energy markets, U.S. crude closed at $68.17 per barrel, and Brent crude edged down 21 cents to $71.77 per barrel, marking its largest monthly drop since November 2022 and its biggest quarterly decline in a year.
Gold prices, after a strong rally, eased slightly with spot gold falling 1% to $1,831.39 an ounce, while U.S. gold futures declined 0.54% to $1,829.90 an ounce.
