Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
Oil Prices Drop as Strait of Hormuz Shipping Recovers 
Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Gold Prices Rise Above $4,000 as Inflation Data and Weaker Dollar Boost Demand 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
SpaceX Eyes Starlink Mobile Phone Service to Challenge Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
Gold Drops Below $4,000 as Strong US Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Bullion 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
U.S. Dollar Reaches One-Year High as Tech Sell-Off and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Support Demand 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
Asian stock markets showed mixed but generally positive performance on Wednesday, led by strong gains in Japanese stocks and renewed optimism around China’s economy and technology sector. Japan’s equity markets surged to fresh record highs amid speculation of a snap election and expectations of increased fiscal stimulus from Tokyo, while Chinese stocks advanced on robust trade data and continued momentum in technology shares.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 1.6% to a record 54,442 points, while the TOPIX index rose 0.8% to a new peak of 3,630.76. Investor sentiment was buoyed by reports suggesting Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may dissolve the lower house of parliament to call a snap election as early as February. Markets interpreted this as a signal that the government could expand fiscal stimulus, particularly if Takaichi strengthens her parliamentary position. The prospect of looser fiscal policy pushed the Japanese yen to its weakest level in nearly two years, boosting export-heavy stocks and adding further support to equities, despite concerns that such policies may strain Japan’s long-term fiscal health.
Chinese markets also posted solid gains, supported by strong economic data and optimism around artificial intelligence and semiconductors. The Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and the Shanghai Composite Index rose more than 1% each, reaching multi-year highs, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index added 0.5%. Data showed China’s trade surplus hit a record $1.25 trillion in 2025, with strong demand from Europe offsetting weaker U.S. exports. A sharp rise in December imports further raised hopes that domestic demand is recovering under continued policy support from Beijing.
Technology stocks in China and Hong Kong extended their rally, fueled by recent high-profile AI-related IPOs and growing confidence in the country’s push toward self-reliance in advanced chips. Chipmaking shares rose after reports that Beijing plans to limit access to Nvidia’s H200 AI chips, even after Washington approved their sale to China, reinforcing support for local semiconductor firms.
Elsewhere in Asia, markets were more subdued. South Korea’s KOSPI fell 0.3% as a tech-led rally cooled, while Australia, Singapore, and India also edged lower amid cautious global sentiment and concerns over U.S. trade policies.
