U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
EU Recovery Fund Faces Bottlenecks Despite Driving Digital and Green Projects 
Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
Why Trump’s new pick for Fed chair hit gold and silver markets – for good reasons 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
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 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
Asian stock markets surged to new highs on Thursday, powered by renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence investments. Investors continued pouring money into AI-related assets, while gold prices hovered above $4,000 per ounce and the U.S. dollar maintained its recent strength. Meanwhile, oil prices eased after reports that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire deal to end their two-year conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump said he may travel to Egypt this weekend to discuss the peace plan’s next steps.
Global equity markets extended their rally as optimism surrounding AI fueled gains in tech-heavy indexes. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record levels, driven by strong investor confidence and bullish earnings projections. Analysts at JPMorgan noted, “The AI theme remains intact,” with another wave of billion-dollar investments flowing into the sector. Tech earnings growth estimates have climbed to 20.9% for the upcoming reporting season, up from 15.9% in June, led by giants like Nvidia and Apple. Overall, S&P 500 earnings are forecast to rise 8% in the third quarter, with revenue up 6.3%.
Japan’s Nikkei jumped 1.5%, nearing all-time highs as foreign investors purchased a net 2.5 trillion yen ($16.4 billion) in shares. Taiwan’s benchmark index also rose 1.2%, while Chinese blue chips gained 0.4% following strong Golden Week spending data showing 888 million domestic trips and 809 billion yuan ($113.5 billion) in sales.
In the U.S., Federal Reserve minutes revealed a cautious approach to further rate cuts despite inflation concerns. Futures markets still price in a 94% chance of a quarter-point cut in November. The dollar remained firm, trading near ¥152.54, while the euro steadied at $1.1641 after weak German industrial output data.
Gold stayed strong at $4,037 per ounce, supported by central bank buying and safe-haven demand amid expectations of U.S. rate cuts. Brent crude slipped 0.6% to $65.89 per barrel, while U.S. crude eased 0.7% to $62.12 as geopolitical tensions subsided.
