Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
The S&P 500 closed at a new high on Thursday as backed up by an article from the site Investing.com, boosted by a rally in semiconductor stocks led by Micron Technology. The chipmaker’s shares surged nearly 15% after issuing better-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter results and strong guidance for the current quarter, attributed to demand for its high-bandwidth memory chips fueled by AI. Super Micro Computer Inc. fell over 12% after news of a DOJ investigation.
Southwest Airlines Rises on Raised Guidance and Buyback
Southwest Airlines stock jumped more than 5% after raising its revenue-per-capacity guidance and announcing a $2.5 billion stock repurchase program, adding to market gains, as explained also by Reuters.
As per The Wall Street Journal, durable goods orders unexpectedly rose in August, and jobless claims dropped, signaling economic resilience. GDP remained steady at a 3.0% annualized gain for Q2, the largest in two quarters. The upcoming PCE price index data — the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation — will be closely watched as the central bank assesses its rate policy.
China Tech Stocks Surge Amid Stimulus Hopes
Chinese tech giants Alibaba, JD.com, and Baidu saw their shares climb after Beijing pledged additional fiscal stimulus to meet its growth target of approximately 5%, fueling a broader market rally.
