South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Gold and Silver Prices Plunge as Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair 
Wall Street Slips as Tech Stocks Slide on AI Spending Fears and Earnings Concerns 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
Gold Prices Pull Back After Record Highs as January Rally Remains Strong 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
Oil Prices Surge Toward Biggest Monthly Gains in Years Amid Middle East Tensions 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
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.
