Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
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 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Asian Currencies Weaken Amid Dollar Strength
Most Asian currencies experienced a decline on Tuesday as the U.S. dollar held steady at a two-month high. This shift is largely attributed to ongoing speculations that the Federal Reserve will adopt a more cautious approach to interest rate cuts.
Federal Reserve's Influence on the Dollar
Recent comments from Federal Reserve officials have bolstered expectations for a slower pace of rate reductions. With resilience in U.S. inflation and labor market data, traders are now positioning themselves for a smaller 25 basis point cut in November. Fed Governor Christopher Waller emphasized the need for “more caution” in rate adjustments, reinforcing the idea of gradual cuts ahead. As of the latest reports, traders are pricing in an approximately 86% chance of a 25 basis point cut, with a 14% chance that rates will remain unchanged, according to CME FedWatch.
Asian Market Sentiment Deteriorates
The overall sentiment in Asian markets has been negatively affected by tepid reactions to China's recent stimulus measures. The lack of detailed information regarding these fiscal policies has contributed to a weakening of the Chinese yuan, which saw a 0.3% increase against the dollar, reaching near a one-month high.
Currency Performance Overview
Most Asian currencies have struggled recently, with the Japanese yen depreciating slightly against the dollar, hovering near the critical 150-yen mark. The Australian dollar faced marginal losses amid falling commodity prices. Conversely, the South Korean won gained 0.3% following the Bank of Korea's recent interest rate cut. The Singapore dollar showed slight growth, while the Indian rupee remained close to record highs of 84 rupees, despite higher-than-expected inflation data for September.
Conclusion
As the market braces for the Federal Reserve's next moves and evaluates China's economic strategies, the outlook for Asian currencies remains cautious amid persistent dollar strength.
