Asian Currencies Trade in Tight Range as Dollar Steadies; Yen Slips on Weak Japan GDP 
U.S. Stocks End Mixed as January CPI Cools, Treasury Yields Slide 
U.S.–Taiwan Trade Agreement Sets 15% Tariff, Boosts Energy and Semiconductor Investment 
BOJ Governor Ueda Meets PM Takaichi as Markets Eye Possible Rate Hike 
Japan Coalition Urges BOJ Independence as Sales Tax Cut Plan Advances 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Stabilizes Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Yen Pulls Back After Rally as Fed Rate Cut Bets Support Dollar Stability 
Gold and Silver Prices Slip After Strong U.S. Jobs Data, Fed Rate Cut Bets Fade 
Japan, U.S. Speed Up Talks on $550 Billion Investment Deal Amid Tariff Pressure 
Fed Governor Stephen Miran Warns Tight Monetary Policy Threatens U.S. Economic Growth 
UK House Prices Hold Steady in February as Rightmove Reports Post-Budget Market Stability 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as US-Iran Tensions and Strong Payroll Data Shape Market Sentiment 
Asian Markets Consolidate Gains as Japan GDP Disappoints and Fed Rate Cut Bets Rise 
U.S. Inflation Cools in January as Gas Prices Fall, Core CPI Signals Sticky Price Pressures 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
ECB Expands Euro Liquidity Backstop to Strengthen Global Role of the Euro 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher Ahead of Holiday as Investors Await Key Economic Data 
Asian stock markets advanced on Thursday, buoyed by a renewed rally in U.S. technology shares, while geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran supported oil prices and sustained safe-haven demand for gold. Investors also reacted to the latest Federal Reserve meeting minutes, which signaled policymakers are not in a hurry to cut interest rates.
Trading activity in Asia was lighter than usual due to Lunar New Year holidays in Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan. However, MSCI’s broad Asia-Pacific index outside Japan climbed 0.5%, and Japan’s Nikkei gained 0.85%, led by strong performances in technology stocks. South Korea’s Kospi surged nearly 3% to a record high, reflecting growing investor confidence in the tech sector.
The positive momentum followed gains on Wall Street, where Nvidia shares jumped after announcing a multiyear agreement to supply Meta Platforms with millions of artificial intelligence chips. The deal boosted sentiment across global tech stocks, with Nasdaq futures rising 0.05% and S&P 500 futures edging 0.03% higher. Analysts noted that Nvidia’s leadership in AI technology could provide fresh support for the sector ahead of its upcoming earnings report.
In commodities, oil prices remained elevated after sharp gains in the previous session. Brent crude hovered around $70.31 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude held near $65.10. Markets are closely monitoring escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, which could disrupt global oil supply. Meanwhile, gold steadied at $4,963.99 per ounce as investors sought safe-haven assets amid geopolitical uncertainty.
The U.S. dollar strengthened following robust economic data and Federal Reserve minutes indicating that rate cuts are unlikely in the near term. Policymakers even signaled openness to further rate hikes if inflation persists. Sterling slipped to $1.3488, the yen remained near 155 per dollar, and the euro traded below $1.18, pressured by reports that European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde may leave her post early.
