Asian Markets Slip as Tech Stocks Tumble Ahead of Key U.S. Inflation Data 
BOJ Governor Ueda Meets PM Takaichi as Markets Eye Possible Rate Hike 
Asian Currencies Trade in Tight Range as Dollar Steadies; Yen Slips on Weak Japan GDP 
Japan Coalition Urges BOJ Independence as Sales Tax Cut Plan Advances 
Japan, U.S. Speed Up Talks on $550 Billion Investment Deal Amid Tariff Pressure 
U.S. Inflation Cools in January as Gas Prices Fall, Core CPI Signals Sticky Price Pressures 
Fed Governor Stephen Miran Warns Tight Monetary Policy Threatens U.S. Economic Growth 
Ukraine Secures $8.2 Billion IMF Loan as Tax Conditions Are Eased 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as US-Iran Tensions and Strong Payroll Data Shape Market Sentiment 
Gold and Silver Prices Slip After Strong U.S. Jobs Data, Fed Rate Cut Bets Fade 
Yen Pulls Back After Rally as Fed Rate Cut Bets Support Dollar Stability 
New Zealand House Prices Dip in January Amid Seasonal Slowdown and Severe Weather 
Asian Stocks Hit Record High as Strong U.S. Jobs Data Tempers Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher Ahead of Holiday as Investors Await Key Economic Data 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Tumble Ahead of Key CPI Inflation Data 
U.S.–Taiwan Trade Agreement Sets 15% Tariff, Boosts Energy and Semiconductor Investment 
Oil Prices Steady but Head for Weekly Loss as Supply Glut Concerns Weigh 
Asian stock markets edged lower in early Tuesday trading after a sharp selloff on Wall Street rattled global investor sentiment. Heightened uncertainty surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policy and rising geopolitical tensions weighed heavily on risk appetite across the Asia-Pacific region.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan reversed earlier gains, falling 0.2% after a six-session rally, with South Korean stocks leading regional declines. Japan’s Nikkei 225, however, climbed 0.7% as markets reopened following a public holiday. Meanwhile, S&P 500 e-mini futures ticked up 0.1%, signaling a cautious start for U.S. equities.
Investor concerns intensified after Trump warned trading partners against retreating from recently negotiated agreements. His comments followed a U.S. Supreme Court decision to strike down emergency tariffs, prompting plans for new duties under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The policy shift has fueled confusion in financial markets already grappling with protectionist trade measures.
On Monday, the S&P 500 dropped 1%, erasing last week’s gains, while the Nasdaq Composite slid 1.1% amid growing fears about artificial intelligence disrupting software and other sectors. A bearish outlook from Citrini Research further pressured sentiment. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), a key measure of market fear, jumped to 21.01.
In currency markets, the U.S. dollar strengthened 0.1% against the Japanese yen to 154.77, while the offshore Chinese yuan held steady at 6.889 per dollar. Fed funds futures indicate a 95.5% probability that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates unchanged at its March 18 meeting. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield edged up to 4.029%.
Commodity prices reflected ongoing uncertainty. WTI crude oil dipped 0.1% to $66.23 amid U.S.-Iran tensions and security concerns in Lebanon. Gold, a traditional safe-haven asset, rose 0.3% to $5,244.96, while silver slipped slightly. In cryptocurrency markets, Bitcoin gained 0.4% to $64,832, while Ethereum eased 0.1% to $1,861.
