China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Oil Prices Plummet Following Israel’s Limited Strike on Iran
Oil prices plunged in early Asian trade on Monday as easing fears of a broader Middle East conflict following Israel’s strike on Iran caused a sell-off. Israel's attack over the weekend avoided critical oil and nuclear sites, prompting traders to remove the risk premium on crude prices.
Brent and WTI Futures Drop
Brent crude futures, expiring in December, dropped 4.1% to $72.97 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 4.2% to $68.76 per barrel. Both contracts neared their lowest levels since early October.
Limited Impact on Iranian Oil
Israel targeted Iranian military sites but refrained from striking the country's major oil and nuclear facilities. Although Iran minimized the attack’s significance, the country threatened retaliation. The market had anticipated a major escalation that could disrupt oil supplies from the region, but Israel’s restraint tempered those concerns.
Despite this, the broader conflict persists, with Israel continuing its military operations against Hamas and Hezbollah.
Global Demand Concerns Resurface
With the immediate Middle East tensions easing, attention turns to economic indicators. This week’s U.S. and Eurozone GDP data, along with China’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI), will provide insights into global oil demand. Additionally, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, the PCE price index, is due later this week.
