Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
U.S. Futures Gain as Middle East Tensions Subside, Tech Earnings Awaited
U.S. stock index futures edged higher on Sunday night as concerns over a significant Middle East conflict eased. Israel's weekend retaliatory strike avoided targeting Iran's nuclear and oil facilities, reducing fears of a severe escalation.
This week, attention turns to major technology earnings and key economic data to provide insights into corporate health and the broader economy.
Futures Rise Amid Calm in the Middle East
By 19:14 ET (23:14 GMT) on Sunday, S&P 500 Futures climbed 0.4% to 5,871.25 points, Nasdaq 100 Futures increased by 0.5% to 20,597.75, and Dow Jones Futures rose 0.4% to 42,468.0 points. Oil prices dropped early Monday, reflecting easing Middle East concerns and improving market sentiment.
While Iran indicated minimal damage from the weekend’s attack, it warned of potential retaliation, leaving geopolitical risks still on the radar.
Tech Earnings to Drive Market Moves
U.S. stocks were mixed last week, with the Nasdaq hitting a record intraday high as traders shifted focus to technology stocks. The upcoming earnings reports from five of the "Magnificent Seven" tech firms—Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon—are expected to significantly impact market direction.
These companies account for a substantial portion of market valuations, and their performance will serve as a bellwether for the broader market, especially given the heavy investments in artificial intelligence.
Key Economic Data in Focus
In addition to corporate earnings, investors will closely monitor U.S. house price data, third-quarter GDP, and the PCE price index—the Federal Reserve's favored inflation metric.
With the 2024 presidential election looming next week, markets may experience heightened volatility.
