Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
Gold and Silver Prices Plunge as Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
Most Asian stock markets advanced on Wednesday, tracking overnight gains from Wall Street as technology shares provided solid support. However, Japan’s markets lagged as rising expectations of a Bank of Japan (BOJ) interest rate hike weighed on investor sentiment.
Regional volumes were muted as China and Hong Kong remained closed for National Day holidays, with mainland Chinese markets set to reopen mid-next week. Attention also centered on the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) policy meeting, where the central bank is expected to leave rates unchanged while easing liquidity conditions.
Asian equities initially benefited from Wall Street’s stronger close, though momentum faded amid concerns of a looming U.S. government shutdown. Bipartisan efforts to secure additional funding faltered, and S&P 500 futures slipped 0.4% in Asian trading ahead of a potential shutdown at 0400 GMT.
Technology shares led regional gains, echoing the performance of U.S. tech stocks. South Korea’s KOSPI rose 0.8%, lifted by optimism in the artificial intelligence sector and bargain-hunting after September’s steep losses. Still, gains were capped as Federal Reserve officials, including Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan, signaled caution over aggressive rate cuts, reflecting the resilience of the U.S. economy.
In contrast, Japan’s Nikkei 225 and TOPIX dropped 1.1% and 1.8%, respectively. A BOJ “tankan” survey showed improved sentiment among large manufacturers, bolstering expectations for an interest rate hike later in October. The stronger yen, driven by rate hike bets, further pressured Japanese exporters.
Elsewhere, Singapore’s Straits Times Index rose 0.6% on tech strength, while Australia’s ASX 200 slipped 0.3% after the Reserve Bank of Australia’s hawkish stance. Indian equities remained muted, with Nifty 50 futures pointing to a flat open as investors awaited the RBI decision. Analysts expect a dovish outlook, with the possibility of reduced cash reserve requirements to support growth amid U.S. trade tariff pressures.
