Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Gold and Silver Prices Climb in Asian Trade as Markets Eye Key U.S. Economic Data 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Indian Refiners Scale Back Russian Oil Imports as U.S.-India Trade Deal Advances 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Middle East Tensions 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Lee Seung-heon Signals Caution on Rate Hikes, Supports Higher Property Taxes to Cool Korea’s Housing Market 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
UK Starting Salaries See Strongest Growth in 18 Months as Hiring Sentiment Improves 
Nikkei 225 Hits Record High Above 56,000 After Japan Election Boosts Market Confidence 
Asian Markets Surge as Japan Election, Fed Rate Cut Bets, and Tech Rally Lift Global Sentiment 
Australian Household Spending Dips in December as RBA Tightens Policy 
Russian stocks closed lower on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index dropping 2.71%, marking a one-month low. The decline was led by sharp losses in the oil, gas, telecom, and mining sectors, reflecting broader market weakness amid falling commodity prices.
Despite the bearish trend, a few stocks managed to post gains. PhosAgro PJSC (MCX:PHOR) rose 1.80% to 5,932.00, supported by investor interest in the fertilizer producer. PIK SHb PJSC (MCX:PIKK) added 1.46%, ending at 501.00, while Magnit PJSC (MCX:MGNT) climbed 1.23% to close at 4,470.00.
However, losses outweighed gains on the Moscow Stock Exchange, with 48 stocks declining compared to 29 gainers. The session’s biggest loser was ADS Ozon Holdings PLC (MCX:OZONDR), plunging 6.30% to 3,486.50. TATNEFT (MCX:TATN) dropped 1.63% to 608.10, and national airline Aeroflot (MCX:AFLT) slipped 1.35% to 65.56.
Volatility eased slightly, with the Russian Volatility Index (RVI) down 0.58% to 49.43, signaling reduced market uncertainty despite the sharp index drop.
Commodity markets also faced heavy selling. Gold futures for June delivery declined 2.76% to $3,035.40 per troy ounce. Crude oil for May delivery plunged 7.41% to $61.99 per barrel, while Brent crude for June shed 6.50% to $65.58.
In currency markets, the US dollar gained ground against the ruble, with USD/RUB rising 0.47% to 84.50. EUR/RUB edged lower by 0.39% to 92.57. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index rose 0.95% to 102.77, reflecting overall greenback strength.
