Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
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 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Asian markets showed a cautious recovery on Tuesday as optimism returned over ongoing U.S.-China trade negotiations. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.5%, while S&P 500 futures gained 0.3%, extending Wall Street’s rebound from Monday after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that President Donald Trump remains scheduled to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea later this month.
Wall Street had rallied up to 2.2% on Monday, led by chipmakers, as Trump adopted a more conciliatory tone on trade tensions. The rebound followed sharp global selloffs last Friday after Trump’s announcement of 100% tariffs on China reignited fears of a trade war. Market sentiment improved when Trump later signaled openness to negotiations via Truth Social.
Citi analysts suggested trade tensions are unlikely to escalate, citing China’s strong bargaining position that could force the U.S. into a more flexible stance. In Asia, Taiwan’s benchmark led gains with a 2.2% jump, and South Korea’s Kospi advanced 1% after Samsung Electronics forecasted a 32% surge in third-quarter operating profit, supported by robust demand for conventional memory chips.
Japan’s Nikkei fell 1.2% as markets reopened from a holiday, while Australia’s benchmark slipped 0.1%. In currency markets, the U.S. dollar strengthened to 152.40 yen, and the dollar index stood at 99.289. Traders are almost certain the Federal Reserve will cut rates by 25 basis points at its October 29 meeting, with a 97.8% probability priced in, according to CME Group’s FedWatch tool.
Elsewhere, the euro was steady at $1.1566 after French President Emmanuel Macron rejected resignation calls. Brent crude edged up 0.4% to $63.56 per barrel following an OPEC report projecting balanced global oil supply in 2026. Gold rose 0.7% to $4,138.39 per ounce, while Bitcoin and Ether slipped 0.9% and 1.5%, respectively.
