Taiwan Urges Stronger Trade Ties With Fellow Democracies, Rejects Economic Dependence on China 
China and Uruguay Strengthen Strategic Partnership Amid Shifting Global Order 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
Gold, Silver, and Platinum Rally as Precious Metals Recover from Sharp Selloff 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
South Korea Inflation Hits Five-Month Low as CPI Reaches Central Bank Target 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Investors Eye Big Tech Earnings and AI Momentum 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
Asian Currencies Strengthen as Indian Rupee and Australian Dollar Rally 
Dollar Holds Firm as Strong U.S. Data, Fed Expectations and Global Central Bank Moves Shape Markets 
U.S. stock index futures held steady Tuesday night after Wall Street hit record highs, with investors awaiting key Federal Reserve signals on interest rates. Market sentiment remained cautious ahead of the Fed’s meeting minutes release and upcoming economic data.
S&P 500 Futures hovered at 6,148.75, while Nasdaq 100 Futures edged up to 22,245.50. Dow Jones Futures remained flat at 44,655.0. The S&P 500 closed 0.3% higher at a record 6,129.62, while the NASDAQ Composite added 0.1% to 20,041.26. The Dow Jones Industrial Average remained steady at 44,556.16.
The Fed’s January meeting minutes, set for release Wednesday, may offer insights into interest rate decisions as concerns over inflation and trade tariffs persist. Strong inflation data last week reinforced expectations of an extended pause in rate cuts. President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports added further economic uncertainty.
Fed officials have largely signaled a commitment to keeping rates steady, with upcoming speeches from Governor Philip Jefferson and Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee on Thursday. Investors are also eyeing February’s preliminary PMI data on Friday, which could provide clues on business activity trends.
Wall Street’s recent gains were fueled by strong earnings and optimism in the tech sector, particularly surrounding artificial intelligence. Investor focus also turned to U.S.-Russia negotiations over a potential Ukraine peace deal, though Kyiv remains absent from talks.
With economic uncertainty looming, investors are treading cautiously while monitoring key data and Fed signals for future market direction.
