Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
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 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Asian share markets extended recent gains Tuesday, driven by strong demand for technology stocks and record-breaking momentum in gold. Optimism around artificial intelligence fueled Wall Street’s latest rally, with Nvidia announcing plans to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI, with first data center deliveries set for 2026.
Tech giants including Oracle, Apple, Nvidia, and Tesla continue to dominate, drawing heavy inflows from momentum funds and options traders. Analysts note the trend is becoming self-fulfilling, with investors hedging equity exposure through gold. The precious metal surged to a new record of $3,755.47 per ounce, nearly 9% higher in September.
In Asia, chip stocks led gains. South Korea rose 0.2%, adding to a 9% monthly surge, while Japan’s Nikkei—closed for a holiday—remains up 6.5% in September. Taiwan advanced nearly 7%, and MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index outside Japan gained 0.3%. Chinese blue chips added 0.1%.
European markets showed modest improvement, with EUROSTOXX 50, FTSE, and DAX futures all edging higher. In the U.S., S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures steadied after hitting record highs.
Investor sentiment remains supported by expectations of further U.S. Federal Reserve rate cuts, with markets pricing in a 90% chance of easing in October and 75% in December. However, mixed Fed messaging persists, with some officials warning about inflation while new Governor Stephen Miran urged sharper cuts. Fed Chair Jerome Powell is set to comment later today.
Currency markets saw the dollar ease against the euro and yen, while Sweden’s crown held steady ahead of a central bank decision. Oil prices dipped on oversupply concerns, with Brent at $66.46 and U.S. crude at $62.21.
With AI enthusiasm surging and gold setting records, global markets remain firmly momentum-driven.
