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 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Asian Stocks Surge with Investor Optimism
Asian markets experienced a boost on Tuesday, driven by a strong close on Wall Street and positive sentiment regarding corporate earnings. The Nikkei index surged 1%, reaching a three-week high, while the MSCI Asia-Pacific index, excluding Japan, increased by 0.2%. Despite this overall upward trend, Chinese markets faced challenges, with the blue-chip index declining 0.4% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index slipping 0.3%.
China's Economic Stimulus Signals
Investor interest in China is fueled by speculation regarding additional stimulus measures. Reports suggest that Beijing may raise an extra 6 trillion yuan (approximately $850 billion) in Treasury bonds over the next three years to support its faltering economy. Analysts at BlackRock noted that China's potential policy changes could lead to increased investments, provided future announcements align with expectations.
Dollar and Oil Market Dynamics
The U.S. dollar remained near a two-month high, buoyed by expectations of a smaller rate cut from the Federal Reserve next month. Traders anticipate an 88% chance of a 25 basis point cut, favoring a cautious approach as economic growth persists. In contrast, oil prices fell nearly 3% due to comments from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, indicating Israel would target Iranian military sites rather than oil infrastructure, alleviating supply concerns. Brent crude prices dipped to approximately $75.22 a barrel, marking a continued decline.
Outlook on U.S. Stocks and Bonds
The S&P 500 and Dow Jones closed at record highs, driven by strong performances from technology stocks, particularly Nvidia, which saw a 2.4% increase. Major banks, including Citi, Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs, are set to announce their quarterly results, further influencing market dynamics. As traders remain vigilant, the bond market shows slight yield increases, with two-year Treasury yields rising to approximately 3.95%.
For ongoing updates and insights into market trends, stay tuned.
