Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
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.
