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Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
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Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
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U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
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 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Most Asian stocks retreated on Friday amid profit-taking in the technology sector, while South Korea’s benchmark surged to new highs following a week-long holiday. The regional downturn mirrored Wall Street’s overnight pullback, as the tech rally paused and the U.S. government shutdown delayed key economic data.
S&P 500 futures gained 0.2% in Asian trading, supported by persistent expectations of an October rate cut by the Federal Reserve. Optimism over a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas also buoyed sentiment.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 dropped 1% and the broader TOPIX index slid 1.7%, both retreating from record levels. Tech giant SoftBank Group (TYO:9984) led losses with a 3.4% drop, following a stronger-than-expected producer price inflation reading for September. The data raised concerns that the Bank of Japan may hike rates sooner, despite likely political resistance from the incoming Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, known for her dovish fiscal stance. Japanese markets had rallied earlier in the week on her election as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s new leader.
Chinese stocks also slipped, with the CSI 300 down 0.5% and the Shanghai Composite off 0.2%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell nearly 1%, dragged by losses in tech and biotech shares. Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (HK:0981) tumbled 5.2%, while WuXi AppTec (HK:2359) and WuXi Biologics (HK:2269) dropped up to 3% after U.S. lawmakers advanced a bill restricting investments in Chinese biotech firms.
Elsewhere, Singapore’s Straits Times Index fell 0.2%, while Australia’s ASX 200 remained flat. India’s Nifty 50 futures rose 0.2% ahead of key tech earnings.
South Korea’s KOSPI was the standout performer, rallying 1.5% to a record 3,617.86. The surge came as chipmakers SK Hynix (KS:000660) and Samsung Electronics (KS:005930) soared 6.6% and 5.1%, respectively, on optimism over new processor supply deals with OpenAI, signaling robust growth prospects for the semiconductor sector.
