South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
US stock index futures saw little movement in holiday-thinned trade on Sunday, as investors remained cautious over President Donald Trump’s tariff plans and persistent inflation concerns. Futures stabilized after a mixed Wall Street session on Friday, where the S&P 500 closed just below record highs, driven by technology stocks, while other sectors lagged.
Investor attention now turns to Federal Reserve speakers and the minutes from the Fed’s January meeting, where interest rates were held steady. Last week’s strong inflation data has tempered hopes for near-term rate cuts. S&P 500 Futures rose slightly to 6,135.50 points, Nasdaq 100 Futures inched up 0.1% to 22,212.50 points, and Dow Jones Futures remained steady at 44,646.0 points. Trading volumes were subdued with US markets closed for a holiday on Monday.
Market sentiment was weighed down by Trump’s recent 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and his executive order for reciprocal tariffs on US trading partners, heightening fears of a global trade war. However, Trump indicated that these tariffs would take effect in April, providing temporary relief.
On Friday, the S&P 500 ended flat at 6,114.63 points, the NASDAQ Composite gained 0.4% to 20,026.77 points, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.4% to 44,546.08 points.
This week, markets will closely monitor speeches from Federal Open Market Committee members Patrick Harker and Michelle Bowman. Their remarks follow mixed inflation data from last week, where core components influencing the Fed’s preferred PCE price index showed signs of easing, raising hopes for inflation nearing the central bank’s 2% target. Investors await insights on future monetary policy from the Fed amid ongoing economic uncertainties.
