U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Dollar Steady as Fed Nomination and Japanese Election Shape Currency Markets 
Australia’s Corporate Regulator Urges Pension Funds to Boost Technology Investment as Industry Grows 
Trump Extends AGOA Trade Program for Africa Through 2026, Supporting Jobs and U.S.-Africa Trade 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
US-India Trade Bombshell: Tariffs Slashed to 18% — Rupee Soars, Sensex Explodes 
India Services Sector Rebounds in January as New Business Gains Momentum: HSBC PMI Shows Growth 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Taiwan Urges Stronger Trade Ties With Fellow Democracies, Rejects Economic Dependence on China 
RBA Raises Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Japan’s Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Exports Hit Record High in 2025 Despite Tariffs 
China Services PMI Hits Three-Month High as New Orders and Hiring Improve 
China and Uruguay Strengthen Strategic Partnership Amid Shifting Global Order 
Gold Prices Rebound Near Key Levels as U.S.-Iran Tensions Boost Safe-Haven Demand 
Asian Currencies Strengthen as Indian Rupee and Australian Dollar Rally 
Paul Atkins Emphasizes Global Regulatory Cooperation at Fintech Conference 
The U.S. dollar held firm at the start of Asian trading on Thursday as investors positioned themselves ahead of key interest rate decisions from the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bank of England (BoE). Both central banks are widely expected to keep rates unchanged later in the global trading day, keeping currency markets relatively stable. The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against six major currencies, edged up 0.2% to 96.671, hovering near a two-week high as cautious sentiment dominated global markets.
The euro traded flat at $1.1800 ahead of the ECB policy announcement. While no immediate rate changes are anticipated, market participants are closely watching the post-meeting press conference for clues about the future interest rate outlook. Analysts expect the ECB to emphasize heightened economic uncertainty, with some signaling a potential easing bias in the months ahead despite a lack of firm conviction on the timing of any rate cuts.
Sterling was also steady, with the British pound holding at $1.3650 as investors await the Bank of England’s policy decision. Like the ECB, the BoE is expected to remain on hold, reinforcing a cautious stance among major central banks. Meanwhile, the dollar traded at 156.92 yen, remaining stable as Japan approaches a closely watched national election, which has added a layer of political uncertainty to the yen.
The dollar has gained modest strength this week as global equity markets turn risk-averse. The Nasdaq Composite has dropped nearly 3% over the past two days, its sharpest decline since October, driven by volatility in major technology stocks. Concerns were amplified after Alphabet announced aggressive capital expenditure plans, while software stocks faced pressure as they adapt to rapid advances in generative artificial intelligence.
Adding to the cautious tone, Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook signaled that inflation remains a bigger concern than labor market weakness, suggesting limited appetite for near-term interest rate cuts. Fed funds futures reflect this view, pricing in a more than 90% probability that the Federal Reserve will keep rates unchanged at its March meeting.
In Asia-Pacific markets, the dollar slipped slightly against the offshore Chinese yuan to 6.9386 following high-level talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Australian and New Zealand dollars edged higher after supportive economic data, while cryptocurrencies stabilized after a sharp selloff, with bitcoin and ether posting modest gains as broader market volatility eased.
