South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Asian Markets Slide Amid Election Jitters, China Gains on Positive Data
As Asian markets opened Tuesday, investor caution grew ahead of the closely contested U.S. presidential election. Regional markets reflected a risk-averse sentiment, with concerns further heightened by the Federal Reserve’s anticipated rate decisions later in the week.
China’s Market Gains on Strong PMI and Stimulus Hopes
China’s markets bucked the regional trend, with the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite rising 0.8%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index gaining 0.3%. Strong purchasing managers index (PMI) data revealed robust growth in China’s services sector for October, fostering optimism about Asia’s largest economy. This uptick follows recent monetary and fiscal measures from Beijing to boost economic recovery. China's National People’s Congress also commenced a key session expected to yield further fiscal support measures.
Australia and Japan Show Diverging Market Trends
Australia’s ASX 200 dropped 0.5% ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s meeting, where interest rates are projected to remain unchanged. Analysts suggest the RBA may not cut rates until February 2025, with inflation and labor data still posing challenges.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Nikkei 225 and TOPIX indexes climbed 1.3% and 0.9% respectively, resuming trade after a long weekend.
Mixed Results Across South Korea and India
South Korea’s KOSPI fell 0.6% as October inflation missed targets, raising the possibility of interest rate cuts. In India, futures for the Nifty 50 index indicated a subdued start after a turbulent October due to foreign capital outflows and cooling economic optimism.
