Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
European stocks opened higher on Monday, buoyed by strong gains across Asian markets and optimism ahead of a busy corporate earnings week. At 07:10 GMT, Germany’s DAX jumped 1%, France’s CAC 40 added 0.5%, and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 rose 0.4%. The positive tone follows last week’s sharp declines, when concerns over the U.S. banking sector weighed on investor sentiment. However, a rebound in U.S. regional bank shares on Friday helped restore confidence.
Asian markets provided a significant boost, led by Japan’s Nikkei 225, which surged more than 3% to a record high above 49,000 points. The rally came after reports that Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party secured enough support to form a coalition government under Sanae Takaichi, who is expected to become the country’s first female prime minister. Known for her dovish fiscal stance, Takaichi is likely to prioritize government spending and resist further Bank of Japan rate hikes, with a parliamentary vote set for Tuesday.
Meanwhile, China’s economy grew 4.8% year-on-year in Q3 2025, slightly above forecasts of 4.7% but slower than the previous quarter’s 5.2% growth. The data reflects ongoing challenges from weak domestic demand, disinflation, and trade tensions with the U.S. In Europe, Germany’s producer prices fell 0.1% in September, marking a 1.7% annual decline, signaling subdued inflation pressures in the eurozone’s largest economy.
In corporate developments, luxury group Kering gained attention after announcing the €4 billion sale of its beauty division to L’Oreal, a move aimed at reducing debt and focusing on core fashion operations. Investors are also eyeing a packed week of earnings, with reports due from L’Oreal, SAP, Barclays, Heineken, Kering, Roche, Unilever, and Lloyds. On Wall Street, major companies including Tesla, Netflix, IBM, and Coca-Cola will also release results.
Oil prices edged lower amid concerns over global demand and a potential supply glut, with Brent crude falling 0.8% to $60.83 a barrel and WTI down 0.8% to $56.72. Both benchmarks have now logged three straight weeks of declines.
