Asian Markets Rise as AI Rally Caps 2025, Gold and Silver Hit Record Highs 
Asian Stock Markets Trade Flat as Holiday Liquidity Thins and BOJ Minutes Watched 
Yen Stabilizes Near Lows as Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene Amid Dollar Weakness 
IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement With Egypt, Opening Path to $3.8 Billion in Funding 
UK Economy Grows 0.1% in Q3 2025 as Outlook Remains Fragile 
Global Demand for Yuan Loans and Bonds Surges as China Pushes Currency Internationalization 
Japan Revises Economic Growth Forecast as Stimulus Fuels Consumption and Investment 
Platinum Price Surges Past $2,000 as Demand and Supply Dynamics Tighten 
Gold Price Breaks $4,500 as Safe-Haven Demand and Rate Cut Bets Fuel Rally 
U.S. Dollar Slips as Yen Finds Support on Intervention Signals and Geopolitical Risks Rise 
China’s Power Market Revamp Fuels Global Boom in Energy Storage Batteries 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady After S&P 500 Hits Record on Strong Economic Data 
BOJ Minutes Reveal Growing Debate Over Interest Rate Hikes and Inflation Risks 
Global Markets Rise as Tech Stocks Lead, Yen Strengthens, and Commodities Hit Record Highs 
Taiwan Stock Market Ends Higher as Semiconductor and Energy Shares Lead Gains 
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.
