UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
Oil Prices Surge Toward Biggest Monthly Gains in Years Amid Middle East Tensions 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
Most Asian currencies edged lower on Monday as investors assessed mixed signals on the Federal Reserve’s next policy move. The US Dollar Index held steady after a strong performance last week, keeping pressure on regional currencies. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, expectations for a 25-basis-point Fed rate cut in December rose sharply to about 69%, up from 44% a week earlier. This shift came after New York Fed President John Williams hinted that policy adjustments could be possible in the near term. Still, several Fed officials emphasized that inflation and labor market strength remain concerns, leaving December’s outcome uncertain.
Analysts at ING noted that the minutes from the October FOMC meeting showed many officials leaning against a December rate cut, suggesting that without key upcoming economic data, opinions are unlikely to shift significantly.
Across Asia, the Chinese yuan (USD/CNH) inched 0.1% higher, while the Singapore dollar (USD/SGD) rose 0.2%. The South Korean won (USD/KRW) dropped 0.5%, marking the biggest decline among regional currencies. The Australian dollar (AUD/USD) remained largely stable.
The Japanese yen (USD/JPY) continued to face downward pressure after touching multi-month lows last week. Expectations that the Bank of Japan may maintain or even ease monetary policy—combined with expansionary fiscal measures under new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi—added to the yen’s weakness. Tokyo officials reiterated that currency intervention remains possible if volatility becomes excessive, offering limited support.
Meanwhile, the Indian rupee (USD/INR) strengthened 0.5% after sinking to a record low of 89.72 on Friday. Reports indicated that the Reserve Bank of India stepped in to stabilize the currency following a sharp sell-off triggered when the pair broke past the 88.80 level, which RBI had previously defended.
This latest currency movement reflects ongoing uncertainty in global monetary policy and shifting investor sentiment across Asian markets.
