Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
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.
