U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Asian stock markets climbed on Friday, led by Japan’s Nikkei 225, amid renewed global trade optimism after the United States and United Kingdom reached a trade deal framework. The agreement retained a 10% U.S. tariff on British goods, while the UK slashed tariffs on U.S. imports from 5.1% to 1.8%. The deal also exempts steel and aluminum imports from Trump’s 25% tariffs, further fueling risk appetite in regional equities.
President Trump hinted at upcoming trade negotiations with China, with talks set to begin over the weekend. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also noted that the administration plans to announce multiple new trade deals while maintaining a baseline 10% tariff.
The Nikkei 225 jumped 1.5%, supported by a weaker yen, while the broader TOPIX index added 1.3%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.5%, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index gained 0.6%. The Philippines’ PSEi advanced 1.2%, benefiting from improved regional sentiment.
South Korea’s KOSPI was little changed, and India’s Nifty 50 futures inched up 0.2% despite rising geopolitical tensions with Pakistan. India reported intercepting drone and missile attacks in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur.
In contrast, Chinese stocks fell as trade data showed mixed results. The Shanghai Composite slipped 0.3%, and the CSI 300 declined 0.4%. While exports rose 8.1% year-on-year—well above forecasts—import declines narrowed to 0.2%, beating expectations of a steeper drop. The data pointed to resilient domestic and external demand amid tariff headwinds.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 0.4%. Market participants now await China’s April CPI inflation figures, due Saturday, for further economic cues.
Global investors remained cautiously optimistic as Wall Street gains and easing trade tensions supported Asian markets.
