U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
India Budget 2026: Modi Government Eyes Reforms Amid Global Uncertainty and Fiscal Pressures 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
Why Trump’s new pick for Fed chair hit gold and silver markets – for good reasons 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
Gold and Silver Prices Plunge as Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
Asian stocks advanced on Tuesday while the U.S. dollar slipped, as investors anticipated the Federal Reserve would restart its rate-cutting cycle this week. Markets are fully pricing in a 25-basis-point cut at Wednesday’s meeting, with traders also awaiting the Fed’s updated “dot plot” and comments from Chair Jerome Powell for clues on the pace of future easing.
MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index outside Japan climbed to its highest level in more than four years, up 0.3%. Japan’s Nikkei and Topix also hit fresh records. Optimism about rate cuts has buoyed risk sentiment, though analysts warn that with 127 basis points of cuts already priced in through mid-2026, any hint of a hawkish stance could unsettle markets.
In the U.S., Senate confirmation of Stephen Miran to the Fed board and a court ruling protecting Governor Lisa Cook’s position had little market impact. Meanwhile, futures showed muted moves: Eurostoxx 50 slipped 0.09%, FTSE rose 0.08%, and U.S. indexes hovered near record highs after overnight gains.
Tech stocks were in focus as Nvidia shares eased following China’s accusation of anti-monopoly violations, escalating trade tensions. However, Washington and Beijing reported progress on a framework for shifting TikTok to U.S.-controlled ownership, with confirmation expected in an upcoming Trump-Xi call.
Currency markets reflected dollar weakness, with sterling steady at $1.3599 and the euro at $1.1758, close to recent highs. The Australian dollar jumped to a 10-month peak at $0.6677, supported by Fed cut bets and easing trade concerns.
In commodities, Brent crude rose 0.25% to $67.59, while U.S. crude gained 0.22% to $63.44 amid concerns over Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries. Spot gold reached a record $3,689.27 an ounce, fueled by dollar softness and Fed expectations.
