Gold and Silver Prices Plunge as Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair 
Gold Prices Pull Back After Record Highs as January Rally Remains Strong 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
Asian Stocks Waver as Trump Signals Fed Pick, Shutdown Deal and Tech Earnings Stir Markets 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
Indonesia Stocks Face Fragile Sentiment After MSCI Warning and Market Rout 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
India Budget 2026: Modi Government Eyes Reforms Amid Global Uncertainty and Fiscal Pressures 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
Japan’s industrial sector showed stronger-than-expected momentum in October, with government data revealing a 1.4% month-on-month increase in industrial production. The latest figures surprised analysts, who had anticipated a 0.5% decline, and follow a revised 2.6% rise in September. The improvement offers an early indication that Japan’s manufacturing activity may be stabilizing after months of uneven output driven by supply disruptions and fluctuating global demand.
The uptick was supported by higher production in key industries such as automobiles and electronic components, reflecting improving parts availability and firmer export orders. These gains suggest that manufacturers are gradually recovering from earlier supply-chain constraints. However, the outlook remains cautious. According to the government’s survey, manufacturers expect factory output to slip 1.2% in November and decline a further 2% in December, underscoring persistent concerns about soft global demand and lingering logistical frictions.
In a positive sign for domestic demand, Japan’s retail sales rose 1.7% year-on-year in October, surpassing market expectations of a 0.8% increase. The rebound also marks a notable improvement from the modest 0.2% growth recorded in the previous month. Analysts attribute the stronger retail activity to improving consumer sentiment driven by the anticipation of tax cuts and more expansionary economic policies under the new administration.
Private consumption continues to play a critical role in Japan’s economic performance and has been a major contributor to the nation’s inflationary trend in recent years. Stronger spending has also influenced the Bank of Japan’s decision to raise interest rates as it shifts away from its longstanding ultra-loose monetary stance.
Overall, October’s data highlights a mixed but encouraging picture: manufacturing is showing signs of resilience while consumer demand strengthens, although challenges across global markets may continue to weigh on Japan’s near-term economic outlook.
