Dollar Struggles as Policy Uncertainty Weighs on Markets Despite Official Support 
Indonesian Stocks Plunge as MSCI Downgrade Risk Sparks Investor Exodus 
Gold and Silver Prices Plunge as Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair 
Wall Street Slips as Tech Stocks Slide on AI Spending Fears and Earnings Concerns 
Gold Prices Pull Back After Record Highs as January Rally Remains Strong 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
Copper Prices Hit Record Highs as Metals Rally Gains Momentum on Geopolitical Tensions 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Second Week as Tariff Threats and Iran Tensions Shake Markets 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
Indonesia Stocks Face Fragile Sentiment After MSCI Warning and Market Rout 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
India Budget 2026: Modi Government Eyes Reforms Amid Global Uncertainty and Fiscal Pressures 
Trump to Announce New Federal Reserve Chair Pick as Powell Replacement Looms 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Retreats After Fed Decision 
U.S. stock index futures edged higher Thursday evening following modest Wall Street gains, driven by corporate earnings from Apple and Microsoft. Investors now focus on Friday’s personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index for insights into the Federal Reserve’s next move after maintaining a hawkish stance.
S&P 500 Futures rose 0.1% to 6,104.75, while Nasdaq 100 Futures climbed 0.3% to 21,695.50. Dow Jones Futures ticked up 0.1% to 45,076.
Tech earnings fueled market sentiment. Microsoft stock dropped 6% despite surpassing estimates, as its cloud revenue and AI-related expenses disappointed. Apple stock gained 3% in after-hours trading despite missing iPhone sales estimates. Meta rose 1.6% on strong Q4 revenue but warned of weaker current-quarter sales. Tesla shares climbed nearly 3% on cost-cutting measures and plans for an affordable EV model.
Outside tech, Caterpillar shares fell 4.6% on weak Q4 revenue and a lackluster 2025 outlook. UPS plunged over 14% after cutting 2025 guidance and slashing Amazon deliveries by over 50%.
The NASDAQ Composite gained 0.3% to 19,681.75, the Dow Jones rose 0.4% to 44,881.64, and the S&P 500 advanced 0.5% to 6,071.18.
Friday’s PCE inflation report is expected to show a 0.3% month-over-month increase, signaling persistent inflation. The Fed’s stance remains cautious, with Chair Jerome Powell emphasizing strong labor markets and ongoing price pressures.
Meanwhile, trade policy uncertainties linger. President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs, including a 25% levy on Canadian and Mexican oil imports, have fueled investor concerns. Markets await clarity on exemptions before the tariffs take effect Saturday.
