Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
EU Recovery Fund Faces Bottlenecks Despite Driving Digital and Green Projects 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
The U.S. dollar remained steady on Tuesday, hovering close to a three-month high, as mixed signals from the Federal Reserve prompted traders to scale back expectations for further interest rate cuts. Investors are also closely watching the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) meeting, where policymakers are expected to keep rates unchanged.
The yen weakened to 154.38 per dollar, near its lowest level in over eight months, triggering concerns of possible intervention from Japanese authorities. Meanwhile, differing opinions among Fed officials and a lack of official economic data due to the U.S. government shutdown have fueled uncertainty about the central bank’s policy direction.
After last week’s rate cut, Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaled that it could be the final reduction for the year. Market pricing now shows a 65% probability of another cut in December, down from 94% a week ago, according to CME’s FedWatch Tool. This recalibration in expectations has supported the dollar, with the euro slipping 0.11% to $1.1506 and the British pound easing to $1.312. The dollar index rose 0.1% to 99.99, marking a three-month high.
The shutdown has limited access to key economic data, leaving investors reliant on private reports such as ADP’s employment data. A recent ISM survey revealed that U.S. manufacturing contracted for the eighth consecutive month in October, underscoring economic weakness. Analysts at MUFG warned that prolonged shutdown risks could further dampen growth.
In Asia, the yen’s continued weakness contrasts with the Bank of Japan’s cautious stance, even as Governor Kazuo Ueda hinted at possible tightening later this year. Analysts expect further yen depreciation unless the BOJ acts soon.
The Australian dollar traded around $0.6535 ahead of the RBA meeting. Stronger-than-expected inflation data has reduced expectations for near-term rate cuts, with markets now anticipating only one cut by mid-2026. Economists predict the RBA could strike a more hawkish tone, potentially bolstering the Australian dollar in the coming sessions.
