South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Jerome Powell Attends Supreme Court Hearing on Trump Effort to Fire Fed Governor, Calling It Historic 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Lots of economic data and events scheduled for today and some with high volatility risks associated.
Data released so far:
- Australia: Investment lending for homes rose by 4.9 percent, while home loans rose by 0.9 percent. New motor vehicle sales up 0.2 percent y/y in December.
- Japan: Industrial production rose by 1.5 percent in November, up 4.6 percent from a year ago.
Upcoming:
- France: November budget details will be out at 7:45 GMT.
- Italy: Trade balance data for November will be released at 9:00 GMT.
- United Kingdom: December inflation numbers will be published at 9:30 GMT. Prime Minister Theresa May is scheduled to speak on Brexit at 11:45 GMT.
- Germany: Zew survey report for January will be published at 10:00 GMT.
- Eurozone: Zew survey report will be released at 10:00 GMT.
- United States: New York empire state manufacturing index will be released at 13:30 GMT., followed by TIPP Economic optimism index at 15:00 GMT. Fed’s Dudley is scheduled to speak at 13:45 GMT and Lael Brainard is scheduled to speak at 15:00 GMT. Treasury Secretary Jack lew will be delivering a speech at 15:00 GMT.
- New Zealand: Global dairy auction is scheduled today.
- Australia: Westpac consumer confidence report will be published at 23:30 GMT.
- Auction: US will auction 3-month, 1-month and 6-month bills at 16:30 GMT.
