Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
U.S. stocks ended mixed on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points, a widely expected move. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 slipped, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed higher as traders digested Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s cautious outlook.
The central bank signaled two additional quarter-point cuts this year, citing concerns about labor market weakness. Powell acknowledged downside employment risks but emphasized the need to balance inflation management. According to LSEG data, markets had already priced in this rate cut. Michael Rosen, CIO at Angeles Investments, said Powell cooled expectations for aggressive easing, while the Fed raised its inflation forecast, underscoring its delicate policy challenge.
The Dow rose 260.42 points, or 0.57%, to 46,018.32, supported by financial stocks like American Express. The S&P 500 slipped 6.41 points, or 0.10%, to 6,600.35, and the Nasdaq lost 72.63 points, or 0.32%, to 22,261.33.
Wall Street’s recent rally, driven by hopes of lower rates and AI enthusiasm, now faces a test. Nvidia dragged on the Nasdaq, falling 2.6% after reports that China’s regulator ordered tech firms to halt purchases of its chips. Workday surged 7.2% following news of Elliott Management’s $2 billion stake, while Lyft jumped 13.1% after Alphabet’s Waymo announced autonomous ride-hailing plans in Nashville. Rival Uber dropped 5%.
Market breadth was slightly negative, with decliners outnumbering advancers on both the NYSE and Nasdaq. Trading volume hit 18.91 billion shares, above the 20-day average of 16.47 billion. The S&P 500 logged 18 new highs and five lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 122 highs and 45 lows.
