Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
The S&P 500 closed lower Friday in a sharp reversal after the White House confirmed that tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China would take effect Saturday. The Dow Jones fell 337 points (-0.8%), the S&P 500 dropped 0.5%, and the Nasdaq slid 0.3%, despite trading over 1% higher earlier in the day.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the U.S. will impose 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods and 10% on Chinese imports. Investors had hoped for a last-minute reversal of the decision, which caused uncertainty in the markets. Macquarie analysts had previously speculated that tariffs on Mexico and Canada wouldn’t take effect on February 1.
Meanwhile, inflation surged in December, with the PCE price index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure, rising 0.3% month-over-month and 2.6% annually. Core PCE, excluding food and energy, increased 2.8% year-over-year. Personal spending also climbed 0.7%, surpassing forecasts of 0.5%, driven by a strong labor market and wage growth. The Fed, which left interest rates unchanged this week, continues to monitor inflationary trends.
In corporate news, Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) closed lower despite forecasting sales growth in the low- to mid-single digits for Q2. Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM) dipped 2.5% despite exceeding Q4 profit estimates. Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL) lost 4.6% after missing revenue expectations. AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) jumped 5% on strong immunology drug sales, while Deckers Outdoor (NYSE: DECK) plummeted 20% following weak revenue guidance.
Market uncertainty persists as traders react to tariff concerns, inflation data, and earnings reports.
