Asian Stocks Fall as Surging Bond Yields Rattle Markets 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Diplomacy Hopes Fade 
Oil Prices Ease as Iran Tensions Clash With Diplomacy Hopes 
US 10-Year Treasury Yield at 6% Emerges as New Market Risk Threshold 
US Stock Futures Fall as Treasury Yields Surge Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit 
China’s ‘Lipstick King’ Says AI Won’t Replace Livestream Hosts 
European Stocks Fall as Bond Yields and Geopolitical Risks Weigh 
Fed Unveils Stablecoin Rules Under GENIUS Act 
RBI Uses $10 Billion Currency Swaps to Drain Excess Rupee Liquidity 
U.S. Dollar Hits Two-Month High as Oil, Treasury Yields Surge 
Oil Prices Jump 3% as Houthi Attack Revives Supply Fears 
Australia Unemployment Hits Five-Year High Despite Strong Jobs Growth 
Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High as Yen Approaches 160 
Japanese Bank Stocks Surge as Bond Yields Fuel Rate Hike Bets 
Gold Holds Near $4,275 as Rising Treasury Yields Fuel Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Gold Prices Fall as Treasury Yields Rise on Fed Rate Hike Bets 
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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.
