Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
The U.S. dollar held firm on Monday as traders grew increasingly cautious over the possibility of Japanese intervention in the currency market, while broader market sentiment remained focused on an upcoming U.K. budget announcement and a likely rate cut in New Zealand. With Tokyo markets closed for a holiday, the yen drifted slightly lower, trading around 156.71 per dollar during early Asian hours.
Japan’s currency has been under persistent pressure due to its ultra-low interest rates and accommodative fiscal stance. However, the yen rebounded from recent 10-month lows after Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama intensified warnings about potential official action to support the currency. Many analysts believe that direct intervention is likely if the yen weakens into the 158–162 range, particularly during the upcoming Thanksgiving period when reduced liquidity could make market movements more volatile. Strategists at OCBC said a move could occur as soon as Friday and that any intervention could trigger a sharp, rapid yen recovery.
Further fuelling speculation, Takuji Aida, a private-sector member of a key Japanese government panel, reiterated on public broadcaster NHK that Japan may step in to counter the economic strain caused by a declining yen.
Meanwhile, the euro remained steady at $1.1506 despite growing expectations of a potential U.S. rate cut in December. Comments from New York Federal Reserve President John Williams suggested that there may be room for easing monetary policy in the near term. The dollar index hovered around 100.25, keeping most major currencies pinned near recent lows.
In the U.K., sterling traded at $1.3093 as investors awaited Wednesday’s budget announcement. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves is expected to balance measures aimed at supporting a sluggish economy with the need to maintain fiscal credibility.
The New Zealand dollar held at $0.5608 after months of decline, with markets pricing in a 25-basis-point rate cut by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand this week. The Australian dollar traded at $0.6453 ahead of a closely watched CPI release, which may influence expectations for future RBA decisions.
In crypto markets, bitcoin slipped 2% to $86,250 after a brief period of stabilization, reflecting renewed volatility across digital assets.
