Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Oil prices slipped slightly in Asian trading on Wednesday, despite optimism that the U.S. government was close to ending its record-breaking 42-day shutdown. The temporary support from the potential reopening was outweighed by lingering fears of an oil supply glut and a strong U.S. dollar that continued to pressure the market.
Brent crude futures for January edged down 0.2% to $65.04 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude also fell 0.2% to $60.85 per barrel by 20:21 ET (01:21 GMT). The modest losses came as traders weighed the impact of political and economic developments in the world’s largest oil consumer.
The U.S. Senate approved a bill on Tuesday to reopen the government, with the House of Representatives expected to vote in favor on Wednesday. Once signed into law by President Donald Trump, the measure will officially end the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The prospect of restored federal operations provided some support to crude markets, as the shutdown had caused widespread disruptions across several sectors, including travel and energy logistics.
Airports across the U.S. faced significant challenges due to staffing shortages in air traffic control and safety departments, resulting in thousands of flight cancellations. These disruptions dampened fuel demand, compounding pressure on oil prices even as traders looked for positive signals from Washington.
Meanwhile, concerns over global supply continued to weigh heavily on sentiment. Reports indicated that Russia’s Lukoil declared force majeure at an Iraqi oilfield, a move linked to the tightening U.S. sanctions on Moscow’s energy sector. The development highlighted growing geopolitical risks in global oil markets, but the potential for oversupply—driven by steady output from major producers—remained the dominant theme restraining price recovery.
Overall, traders remain cautious as oil markets balance geopolitical tensions, U.S. policy shifts, and persistent fears of excess supply that could cap price gains in the near term.
