Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
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 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Asian Markets Take a Hit Ahead of U.S. Election
Asian stocks experienced a downturn on Tuesday as bond yields and the U.S. dollar reached multi-month highs. Gold prices hovered near record levels, signaling investor caution ahead of the U.S. elections.
Benchmark 10-year Treasury yields in Asia rose three basis points to 4.21%, marking the highest level since late July. U.S. and FTSE stock futures dipped by 0.2%, while European futures saw a slight increase of 0.1%.
Investor Sentiment in Japan
In Japan, the impending general election on Sunday influenced market behavior. Investors withdrew cash, leading to declines in stocks, bonds, and the yen. The Nikkei dropped 1.4% to its lowest point since early October, and the yen fell to 151 per dollar, its lowest since July.
Naka Matsuzawa, a macro strategist at Nomura, noted, “It’s a small capital flight out of Japan.” Market speculation suggests a potential "red sweep" could result in a Republican majority in the upcoming elections.
Broader Market Trends
The MSCI Asia-Pacific index, excluding Japan, fell 0.7%, with Australian and South Korean benchmarks losing over 1%. Chinese markets remained subdued as investors awaited more government initiatives to boost the struggling economy.
Foreign exchange markets stabilized after a volatile session. The Australian and New Zealand dollars gained approximately 0.5% against the U.S. dollar, while sterling rose above $1.30.
Commodities and U.S. Earnings Await
Commodities faced pressure from weak Chinese demand expectations. Iron ore prices dropped over 1% to $100.70 per ton, while oil prices steadied, with Brent crude trading at $73.96 a barrel.
Attention now shifts to U.S. earnings reports, including General Motors and Lockheed Martin, for clues on the economy's direction. With significant data releases scheduled in the coming weeks, analysts caution that the market remains in "waiting game" mode.
