Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
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 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
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 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Asian shares found firmer footing on Wednesday, supported by a recovery in U.S. markets and a pause in the global bond and cryptocurrency selloff that rattled investors earlier in the week. Bitcoin bounced back above the $90,000 mark, while Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures edged up 0.1%. MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index outside Japan gained 0.3%, and Japan’s Nikkeiadvanced 0.8%, reflecting improved sentiment across the region.
The earlier downturn was driven by renewed expectations of a potential Bank of Japan (BOJ) rate hike, which sparked heavy selling in global bond markets and deepened declines in major cryptocurrencies. According to Kerry Craig of J.P. Morgan Asset Management, narrowing yield spreads and yen movements revived concerns about strained carry trades and the unwinding of leveraged positions. He noted that crypto performance has often been viewed as a barometer of risk appetite, especially in periods of shifting liquidity.
Japanese government bonds remained under pressure as traders increased bets on a BOJ move later this month. The five-year JGB yield climbed to its highest level since 2008 at 1.38%, while the 40-year yield rose slightly to 3.695%.
With few immediate catalysts, investor attention has shifted back to the Federal Reserve, which is widely expected to cut rates next week. Analysts expect this anticipation to lift equities into mid-December, a period that has historically favored stock market rallies. Market optimism has also grown around the possibility of a more dovish Fed outlook, particularly with White House adviser Kevin Hassett seen as the top candidate to replace Jerome Powell.
The U.S. dollar weakened against major currencies, with the euro inching up to $1.1632 and sterling rising to $1.32235. The yen strengthened slightly to 155.77 per dollar, amid speculation about Fed leadership changes and concerns over monetary policy independence.
Elsewhere, the Australian dollar steadied after weaker-than-expected GDP data. In commodities, Brent crude hovered at $62.49, U.S. crude traded at $58.69, and gold ticked up to $4,216.13 an ounce as markets balanced geopolitical tensions with oversupply worries.
