U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
Singapore GDP Growth Surges in 2025 but Outlook Remains Cautious Amid Global Trade Risks 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech and Financial Stocks Weigh on Markets Amid Thin Holiday Trading 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
U.S. Stocks Slip as Gold Rebounds Ahead of Year-End, Markets Eye 2026 Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
U.S. stock index futures fell sharply on Sunday evening after former President Donald Trump announced plans to impose new trade tariffs on several European countries, unsettling global markets and driving investors toward safe-haven assets. The comments sparked renewed concerns about trade tensions, geopolitical risk, and their potential impact on the global economy, sending gold prices to a fresh record high in late trading.
As of 18:41 ET (23:41 GMT), S&P 500 futures dropped 0.7% to 6,930.0 points. Nasdaq 100 futures declined nearly 1% to 25,437.50 points, while Dow Jones futures fell 0.6% to 49,269.0 points. Trading volumes remained thin ahead of Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, amplifying market volatility. The declines followed a mildly negative session on Friday, with investors already cautious ahead of a busy earnings calendar.
Market sentiment deteriorated after Trump said he would impose an additional 10% tariff starting February 1 on goods imported from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and Britain. He added that the tariffs could rise to as much as 25% by June if negotiations over Greenland fail to produce a deal. The remarks reignited fears of a broader trade conflict between the U.S. and Europe, particularly as several European governments, including France, signaled potential retaliatory measures.
Trump reiterated his long-standing stance that Greenland should become part of the United States, arguing it is critical for national security. Greenland is a self-governing territory under the Kingdom of Denmark, and the proposal has been widely rejected by European leaders. The rhetoric drew additional attention given Trump’s earlier suggestion of possible military involvement and heightened geopolitical tensions following a U.S. incursion in Venezuela earlier this year.
Looking ahead, investors are shifting focus to key fourth-quarter earnings reports expected this week. Netflix, Johnson & Johnson, 3M, U.S. Bancorp, Charles Schwab, Prologis, and Halliburton are among major companies set to report results. These earnings will be closely analyzed for insights into consumer demand, corporate profitability, and the broader U.S. economic outlook, especially after mixed signals from major bank earnings last week.
