House Votes to End Trump’s Canada Tariff Emergency, Senate Showdown Looms 
China Signals Strategic Rare Earth Push Amid Rising U.S. Competition 
Oil Prices Hold Firm as U.S.–Iran Talks and Inventory Data Shape Market Sentiment 
U.S. Stock Futures Steady as Strong Jobs Data Clouds Fed Rate Cut Outlook 
Singapore GDP Surges in Q4 2025 as Government Raises 2026 Growth Outlook 
Asian Stock Markets Rise as Australian Shares Rally; Investors Eye U.S. Jobs Data and China Inflation 
Russia Condemns U.S. Sanctions as Cuba Faces Critical Fuel Crisis 
ASX Shares Slide as 2026 Cost Outlook Jumps Amid CEO Exit and ASIC Probe 
Gold Prices Slip in Asian Trade as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Australian Business Conditions Ease Slightly in January as Cost Pressures Hit Post-Pandemic Lows 
RBA Signals Further Interest Rate Hikes if Inflation Persists, Says Governor Michele Bullock 
Australian Central Bank Signals Tough Stance as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Yen Strengthens as Japan Election Boosts Confidence, Dollar Wavers Ahead of U.S. Jobs Data 
Oil Prices Dip as Hormuz Tensions, Iran Talks, and Russia Sanctions Shape Market Outlook 
China CPI Growth Slows While Producer Deflation Eases in January 
Japan Warns on Yen Volatility as Currency Surges Against Dollar 
Gold and Silver Prices Slip After Strong U.S. Jobs Data, Fed Rate Cut Bets Fade 
Asian stocks surged to fresh record highs on Thursday, supported by a rally in technology shares and renewed investor confidence across the region. South Korean and Japanese equities led gains in early trading, pushing MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares up 0.65%. The benchmark index has climbed roughly 13% in the first six weeks of the year, reflecting strong momentum in global equity markets.
Japanese stocks have rallied sharply following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s decisive election victory, which was driven by promises of increased economic stimulus. Investors are betting that a stable political mandate could strengthen Japan’s fiscal outlook, contributing to a nearly 3% surge in the yen since the weekend. The Japanese currency last traded at 153.02 per U.S. dollar, outperforming other major currencies despite broader dollar strength.
Meanwhile, stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs data has reshaped expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. January job growth accelerated unexpectedly, while the unemployment rate edged lower, signaling continued labor market resilience. As a result, market expectations for a March Fed rate cut have dropped sharply from around 20% to just 5%, according to CME’s FedWatch Tool. However, traders still anticipate at least two rate cuts later this year.
Rising Treasury yields supported the U.S. dollar, with the two-year yield climbing to 3.512% and the 10-year yield reaching 4.186%. Analysts caution that sustained dollar strength will require continued positive economic surprises, especially with U.S. inflation data due Friday.
In commodities markets, oil prices extended gains amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions. Brent crude rose 0.4% to $69.68 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude increased 0.46% to $64.93. Spot gold slipped 0.44% to $5,058.49 after posting strong gains in the previous session.
