Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
The New Zealand bonds witnessed losses on the first trading day of the week Monday, tracking weakness in U.S. Treasuries amid a drop in demand for safe-haven asasets post the first round of French elections held over the weekend.
At the time of closing, the yield on the benchmark 10-year bond, which moves inversely to its price, jumped 5 basis points to 3.04 percent, the yield on 7-year note surged nearly 4-1/2 basis points to 2.74 percent and the yield on short-term 2-year note traded 1-1/2 basis points higher at 2.14 percent by 05:30GMT.
Asian shares edged higher on Monday as risk appetite improved after pro-European Union candidate Emmanuel Macron won the first round of French elections. Key benchmark indices extended initial gains and hit fresh intraday high.
Among secondary barometers, the BSE Mid-Cap index was currently up 0.38 percent, underperforming the Sensex. The BSE Small-Cap index was currently up 0.82 percent, outperforming the Sensex.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand’s benchmark S&P/NZX 50 Index rose 0.36 percent to 7,222.94 by 05:30GMT, while at 05:00GMT the FxWirePro's Hourly NZD Strength Index remained neutral at 9.75 (a reading above +75 indicates a bullish trend, while that below -75 a bearish trend). For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex
