U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
Asian markets opened cautiously on Monday as investors brace for a critical week of central bank decisions. The U.S. Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut interest rates by 25 basis points, lowering the funds rate to 4.0–4.25%. Futures markets show nearly 100% certainty of the move, with investors eyeing Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s comments and the “dot plot” projections for clues on further cuts. Markets have already priced in 125 basis points of easing this year, meaning any less dovish outlook could disappoint.
Economists, including Citi’s Andrew Hollenhorst, expect Powell to highlight risks to employment after softer U.S. jobs data. Citi projects reductions at the next five meetings, with median forecasts signaling at least 75 basis points of cuts in 2025. President Donald Trump renewed criticism of Powell over the weekend, accusing him of harming the housing market.
The Bank of Canada is also expected to trim rates by 25 basis points this week, while the Bank of Japan and Bank of England are likely to stay on hold. China may ease one of its lending rates amid ongoing economic sluggishness.
Currency markets were muted, with the euro steady at $1.1727 after Fitch downgraded France. The yen traded at 147.77 per dollar, staying within its recent range. European Central Bank officials, including Christine Lagarde, are scheduled to speak this week, reinforcing a stable EU policy outlook.
In equities, South Korea hit fresh records on AI optimism, while MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index slipped 0.1%. U.S. Treasury yields held at 4.07% after hitting a five-month low last week on weaker labor data. Key U.S. releases include retail sales, industrial output, housing starts, and jobless claims.
Oil prices hovered near $67 for Brent and $62.77 for U.S. crude, while gold traded slightly lower at $3,639, close to record highs.
