South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
Japan Election Poll Signals Landslide Win for Sanae Takaichi, Raising Fiscal Policy Concerns 
Gold and Silver Prices Plunge as Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
U.S. stock index futures rose sharply Wednesday evening, driven by strong quarterly earnings from Microsoft and Meta Platforms that boosted optimism for AI-led growth. The rally followed a muted Wall Street session earlier in the day after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged, dampening expectations for a rate cut in September.
Nasdaq 100 futures jumped 1.1% to 23,719.75 points, while S&P 500 futures gained 0.7% to 6,441.25 points. Dow Jones futures added 0.2% to 44,690 points. The tech-heavy Nasdaq outperformed as investor sentiment improved on robust results from major tech firms.
During regular trading, the S&P 500 slipped 0.1%, the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.2%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.4%. The Fed’s decision marked the first double dissent since 1993, with Trump-appointed governors Michelle Bowman and Christopher Waller favoring a 25 basis-point cut. President Donald Trump criticized the central bank, urging rapid rate reductions to spur growth.
Economic data earlier Wednesday showed U.S. GDP grew more than expected in Q2, rebounding from a Q1 contraction. Private payrolls rose by 104,000 in July, ahead of Friday’s key nonfarm payrolls report.
Microsoft surged over 8% after reporting strong cloud and AI-driven revenue, while Meta soared nearly 12% on robust ad growth and upbeat guidance. Apple and Amazon are set to report next.
In trade developments, Trump announced a 15% tariff on South Korean imports alongside a $350 billion U.S. investment pledge from Seoul and a 25% tariff on India over Russian military purchases. A 50% tariff on semi-finished copper products begins August 1, signaling escalating trade tensions.
