Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Bank of England Expected to Hold Interest Rates at 3.75% as Inflation Remains Elevated 
China Holds Loan Prime Rates Steady in January as Market Expectations Align 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Fed Confirms Rate Meeting Schedule Despite Severe Winter Storm in Washington D.C. 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) held its benchmark interest rate steady at 3.25% on Wednesday, citing ongoing near-term inflation risks. However, policymakers indicated that further rate cuts remain likely if inflation continues to ease as expected. This pause aligns with a Reuters poll, where 19 of 27 economists forecasted a hold following a 225-basis-point reduction since August 2024.
Despite inflation moderating to 2.5%, still within the RBNZ's 1–3% target range, concerns over global trade tensions and inflationary pressures have led the central bank to take a more cautious stance. Meeting minutes revealed that the bank anticipates its next rate cut could come in August, depending on updated economic data.
The RBNZ acknowledged uncertainty in the economic outlook, noting that future monetary policy will be influenced by inflation persistence, recovery pace, and the impact of tariffs. Elevated export prices and lower borrowing costs are supporting growth, but global headwinds, including slower international demand and fiscal tightening, are expected to weigh on New Zealand’s recovery.
Financial markets reacted with the New Zealand dollar falling 0.3% to $0.5977, while two-year swap rates held steady at 3.16%. Capital Economics’ senior APAC economist Abhijit Surya projected the terminal cash rate could fall to 2.5%, lower than the bank’s current estimate of 2.75%.
The RBNZ was among the first central banks to tighten policy post-COVID, raising rates by 525 basis points between 2021 and 2023. Those aggressive hikes pushed the economy into recession, though a fragile recovery is now underway. New Zealand’s rate cuts contrast with the U.S. Federal Reserve and Reserve Bank of Australia, both of which have adopted a more hawkish stance amid global economic uncertainty.
