Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Asian currencies traded within tight ranges on Wednesday as investors awaited the U.S. Federal Reserve’s highly anticipated interest rate decision. The dollar remained steady after recent gains, while market participants also kept an eye on the upcoming Bank of Japan (BOJ) policy meeting and a scheduled discussion between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The Australian dollar stood out, with the AUD/USD pair rising 0.2% to nearly a three-week high. Stronger-than-expected inflation data dampened expectations of further rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia, boosting the currency.
Regional currencies found support in recent sessions amid signs of progress in U.S.-China trade negotiations and growing confidence in a potential Fed rate cut. The dollar index and its futures gained slightly in Asian trading, remaining firm ahead of the Fed’s announcement. Markets expect a 25-basis-point rate reduction as the U.S. economy shows signs of slowing inflation and labor market growth. However, traders are looking to Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks for guidance on future monetary policy.
The Japanese yen hovered around 152 per dollar, recovering slightly after hitting an eight-month low. Despite minor strength, the yen remains pressured by expectations that the BOJ will maintain its ultra-loose monetary stance. Analysts anticipate no rate changes, particularly as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration leans toward expansive fiscal policies—a factor weighing further on the yen.
Elsewhere, Asian currencies showed muted movement ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting in South Korea. The Chinese yuan (USD/CNY) hovered around 7.1, while the Singapore dollar (USD/SGD) edged up 0.1%, and the South Korean won (USD/KRW) rose 0.2%. The Indian rupee (USD/INR) stayed slightly higher above 88.
The meeting between Trump and Xi is expected to ease trade tensions, with potential discussions on fentanyl tariffs, rare earths, and AI chip exports.
