Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
European stock markets traded slightly higher on Friday as investors remained cautious ahead of the release of critical U.S. nonfarm payrolls data, a report expected to influence expectations for Federal Reserve monetary policy in 2026. In early trading, Germany’s DAX rose 0.1%, France’s CAC 40 climbed 0.5%, and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 advanced 0.3%, reflecting guarded optimism across regional equities.
Global attention was firmly on the upcoming U.S. jobs report, which economists believe will show a slowing but resilient labor market. Forecasts suggest the U.S. economy added around 57,000 jobs in December, down from 64,000 in November. The data is closely watched as it could shape the Federal Reserve’s interest rate outlook after the central bank cut rates at its last three meetings in 2025, prioritizing concerns over labor market weakness despite persistent inflation pressures. While the Fed is widely expected to hold rates steady later this month, uncertainty remains over the timing and scale of any future rate cuts.
In Europe, sentiment was supported by stronger-than-expected German industrial production, which rose 0.8% month-on-month in November, defying forecasts for a decline and signaling potential recovery in the eurozone’s largest economy. Investors are also awaiting eurozone retail sales data, expected to confirm ongoing pressure on consumer spending.
Political and legal developments added another layer of uncertainty, including a potential U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the legality of Trump-era global tariffs and renewed focus on Greenland’s strategic importance amid U.S. interest in critical minerals.
Corporate news was dominated by the mining sector after Glencore confirmed early-stage talks over a possible acquisition by Rio Tinto, a deal that could create the world’s largest mining company. Elsewhere, U.K. retailer J Sainsbury upgraded its cash flow outlook following strong Christmas trading.
Oil prices rose for a third consecutive week, supported by geopolitical tensions in Iran and Venezuela, with Brent crude and WTI both gaining around 0.8%, underscoring ongoing concerns over global energy supply.
