South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Asian stock markets mostly advanced on Tuesday, led by gains in regional tech shares that mirrored strength in U.S. counterparts. Optimism was tempered, however, by lingering concerns over U.S.-China trade tensions and fragile economic indicators.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 added 0.3%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index surged 1.2%, rebounding from recent losses. Technology stocks outperformed, buoyed by easing U.S. Treasury yields and sustained investor confidence in artificial intelligence demand. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) rose 1% after its CEO acknowledged tariff pressures but reaffirmed robust AI-driven growth.
Electric vehicle shares also rallied. BYD Co. climbed nearly 2%, snapping a six-day losing streak after strong May sales, especially overseas. Li Auto jumped nearly 5%, leading Hang Seng gainers following a Goldman Sachs price target hike.
Chinese markets reopened after a holiday, but the Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 traded flat. Investor caution grew after U.S. President Donald Trump accused Beijing of breaching a trade agreement, claims China firmly denied. Trade talks appeared stalled, dampening hopes for a lasting resolution. Meanwhile, China’s Caixin manufacturing PMI unexpectedly contracted in May, signaling the negative impact of U.S. tariffs and soft overseas demand.
Elsewhere in Asia, Australia’s ASX 200 rose 0.3% as central bank minutes reaffirmed a dovish stance following a recent rate cut. Still, economic data remained weak, with a surprise contraction in company profits and a wider-than-expected current account deficit ahead of key GDP figures.
Singapore’s Straits Times Index edged up 0.1%, while futures suggested a cautious open for India’s Nifty 50 ahead of the Reserve Bank of India’s interest rate decision. Markets expect a 25 basis point cut to support growth amid global headwinds.
