Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
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 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
U.S. stock index futures traded flat to lower Thursday evening as investors weighed sticky inflation data against relief from a delay in U.S. trade tariffs. Futures held steady following a strong Wall Street session driven by tech stock rallies and optimism over U.S.-Russia peace talks.
S&P 500 Futures remained at 6,134.50 points, Nasdaq 100 Futures dipped 0.1% to 22,086.0 points, and Dow Jones Futures stayed flat at 44,827.0 points.
Investor sentiment improved after President Donald Trump signed an executive order outlining reciprocal trade tariffs but held off on immediate implementation. Earlier in the week, Trump imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and indicated higher tariffs were coming without a set timeline.
Wall Street also found support from lower Treasury yields despite a hotter-than-expected January producer price index (PPI) reading. PPI data, while elevated, hinted at possible softness in components affecting the Federal Reserve’s preferred PCE price index. A softer PCE print could signal more room for rate cuts, though Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned that the central bank remains cautious on easing monetary policy.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for January also exceeded forecasts, signaling persistent inflation pressures.
Despite inflation concerns, major tech stocks surged amid falling yields. Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) rose 3.2%, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) gained 2%, and Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) jumped nearly 6% after hitting a 2.5-month low.
On Thursday, the S&P 500 climbed 1% to 6,115.07 points, nearing a record high. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.5% to 19,945.64 points, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.8% to 44,711.49 points.
