Why Trump’s new pick for Fed chair hit gold and silver markets – for good reasons 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
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 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
Asian stock markets traded mixed on Tuesday, with most major indices rising on expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next week. Japan’s Nikkei 225 briefly surged 1.2% to a record 44,185.7 points before easing to 43,732.6, still up 0.2% by 02:50 GMT. The broader TOPIX also edged higher, extending a four-day winning streak.
Investor sentiment in Japan strengthened after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned following heavy election losses, fueling speculation that his successor may adopt more expansionary fiscal and monetary policies. Markets also expect the Bank of Japan to delay further tightening. Positive momentum was supported by revised GDP data showing 2.2% annualized growth in Q2, up from the earlier 1.0% estimate, driven by private consumption and inventory gains. On a quarterly basis, GDP expanded 0.5%, above the 0.3% forecast. Additionally, optimism grew after a U.S.-Japan trade deal promised reduced tariffs on auto exports by mid-September.
Elsewhere, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose 1.5%, while the Hang Seng TECH sub-index gained 1.7%, tracking Wall Street’s Nasdaq record close. South Korea’s KOSPI advanced nearly 1%, with chipmakers Samsung Electronics up 1% and SK Hynix jumping 2.8%. China’s Shanghai Composite was flat, and the CSI 300 dipped 0.1%.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.6%, pressured by financials after ANZ Group announced 3,500 job cuts and a A$560 million restructuring charge. Singapore’s Straits Times Index fell 0.3%, while India’s Nifty 50 futures traded largely unchanged.
Overall, expectations of U.S. rate cuts, upbeat Japanese economic data, and political shifts drove market sentiment, though regional performances varied.
