Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
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 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Asian stock markets climbed sharply on Thursday, driven by a strong rebound in technology shares after Nvidia delivered upbeat quarterly results and confident guidance. The chipmaker’s performance eased worries about a potential bubble in the AI sector and boosted global tech sentiment.
Markets across the region tracked Wall Street’s recovery, with U.S. stock index futures jumping after Nvidia’s report. By 21:16 ET (02:16 GMT), S&P 500 Futures were up 1.2%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures gained 1.7%, signaling renewed appetite for growth and semiconductor stocks.
Japan and South Korea led the rally, with the Nikkei 225 surging 3.2% and the KOSPI jumping 2.6%. Investors piled back into tech names after Nvidia reported stronger-than-expected earnings and an outlook supported by robust AI-driven demand. CEO Jensen Huang reiterated that the company’s customer base extends beyond major hyperscalers, dismissing fears of an AI bubble. Nvidia shares climbed more than 5% in after-hours trading.
The positive momentum spilled over to key suppliers. In South Korea and Japan, Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Advantest advanced between 4% and 9%. SoftBank Group also rose 3.5%, despite having fully exited its Nvidia stake last year. The broader tech sector benefited from bargain hunting after recent sell-offs tied to valuation concerns.
Elsewhere in Asia, Australia’s ASX 200 rose 1.2%, supported by mining and tech gains, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index inched up 0.3%. Indian Nifty 50 futures added 0.2%. Mainland Chinese markets lagged due to their smaller tech exposure, with the CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite each edging up 0.1%.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was the region’s main laggard, slipping 0.2% as Xiaomi dropped another 3%. The smartphone giant warned of rising chip costs and faces ongoing doubts about its electric vehicle ambitions, overshadowing its strong quarterly results. NetEase also fell ahead of its earnings release, while local EV stocks weakened on concerns over declining demand following the end of key subsidies.
Despite geopolitical tensions between Japan and China, optimism around global tech growth helped investors maintain a risk-on outlook.
