Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Australia’s Corporate Regulator Urges Pension Funds to Boost Technology Investment as Industry Grows 
US-India Trade Bombshell: Tariffs Slashed to 18% — Rupee Soars, Sensex Explodes 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Stabilizes, Yen Weakens Ahead of Japan Election 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
India Services Sector Rebounds in January as New Business Gains Momentum: HSBC PMI Shows Growth 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Gold prices dropped to a nearly four-week low in Friday’s Asian session, weighed down by fading safe-haven demand as the Israel-Iran ceasefire held firm. Spot gold fell 1% to $3,293.79 an ounce—its lowest since June 2—while August gold futures slid 1.2% to $3,306.70. The yellow metal is poised for a weekly loss of over 2%, marking its second consecutive weekly decline and extending its drop to nearly 6% from April’s all-time high.
The retreat comes amid easing geopolitical risk after a ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump appeared stable through Thursday, reducing investor appetite for gold. Focus has now shifted to the upcoming U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index—the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge—for signals on interest rate direction.
Markets anticipate a 0.1% monthly rise in both headline and core PCE readings for May. Year-over-year, headline PCE is expected to rise 2.3%, with core PCE at 2.6%, both higher than the previous year’s figures. Fed Chair Jerome Powell recently cautioned Congress against premature rate cuts, noting persistent inflationary risks, particularly from tariffs. Meanwhile, Trump criticized Powell and may appoint a replacement by September, according to the Wall Street Journal.
In broader metals markets, a stronger U.S. dollar added pressure. The dollar index rose 0.1%, making gold and other commodities more expensive for overseas buyers. Platinum futures dropped 1.3% to $1,392.00 per ounce, retreating from decade-highs but still up 32% for June. Silver futures slipped 0.6% to $36.375, while London copper futures edged down 0.2% to $9,891.15 per ton. U.S. copper futures ticked up slightly to $5.06 per pound.
