Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
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.
