Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Surge Toward Biggest Monthly Gains in Years Amid Middle East Tensions 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
India Budget 2026: Modi Government Eyes Reforms Amid Global Uncertainty and Fiscal Pressures 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Indonesia Stocks Face Fragile Sentiment After MSCI Warning and Market Rout 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
U.S. stocks rallied sharply Monday, driven by renewed appetite for AI-related equities and growing confidence that the Federal Reserve could deliver a December interest rate cut. At the close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 1.5%, the S&P 500 rose 1.4%, and the tech-heavy NASDAQ surged 2.7%. Despite the strong session, major indexes remain on track for a weak November, with the S&P 500 down 3.5% month-to-date, the NASDAQ lower by 6.1%, and the Dow off 2.8%.
Tech stocks led the recovery as Alphabet shares soared more than 6%. Investor enthusiasm grew after the company’s Gemini AI model received a significant upgrade, intensifying competition with OpenAI. A leaked memo suggested OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged Google’s momentum could create “temporary economic headwinds.” Other AI leaders, including NVIDIA and Oracle, also posted solid gains, reinforcing optimism around the sector’s long-term growth.
Rate-cut expectations strengthened after recent comments from key Federal Reserve officials. New York Fed President John Williams signaled support for a December cut, a stance echoed by Fed Governor Christopher Waller, who noted that economic conditions have not shifted meaningfully since the last policy meeting. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, the probability of a 25-basis-point cut has climbed to nearly 69%, up from 44% just a week ago.
Investors now await a wave of delayed U.S. economic data, including producer inflation, retail sales, industrial production, and third-quarter GDP. Signs of slowing growth or a cooling labor market could bolster the case for more easing, though the Fed will meet in December without November’s full payroll data.
Geopolitical sentiment also improved after President Trump accepted an invitation to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in April, raising hopes of progress in U.S.–China trade relations.
In corporate news, Agilent Technologies is set to report earnings after the close, while Novo Nordisk shares tumbled following weak Alzheimer’s trial results. Biogen stock climbed as analysts suggested Novo Nordisk’s setback could boost Biogen’s Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi.
