Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
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 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
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 
US dollar gained momentum after better than expected US ISM manufacturing PMI . It hits a high of 106.73 and is currently trading around 106.52.
Manufacturing Insights: Signs of Improvement Amid Contraction
The US ISM Manufacturing PMI for November 2024 rose to 48.4, up from 46.5 in October, showing slight improvement but still indicating contraction for the eighth month. The New Orders Index increased to 50.4, suggesting weak growth, while the Employment Index improved to 48.1. Price pressures eased, with the Prices Paid Index dropping to 50.3. Overall, the US Dollar strengthened following these mixed but hopeful manufacturing reports.
Political Crisis in France: Euro Faces Headwinds
Euro lost its shine amid France's political crisis. It is facing a serious political crisis with Prime Minister Michel Barnier's minority government at risk of collapsing due to a no-confidence vote.
His proposed €60 billion budget to reduce the deficit is encountering strong opposition from both right and left-wing parties. To bypass this, Barnier used a controversial method to pass a social security budget, prompting more opposition challenges. The political turmoil has raised concerns about France's financial stability, affecting its bond yields and raising questions about future governance.
