Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Oil prices fell slightly on Thursday as investors remained cautious amid uncertainty over U.S. involvement in the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. Brent crude futures declined 37 cents (0.48%) to $76.33 a barrel by 0110 GMT, following a volatile session in which prices swung by nearly 3%. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for July slipped 28 cents (0.37%) to $74.86, after briefly dropping 2.4% before ending 0.4% higher the previous day.
With the July WTI contract expiring Friday, the more actively traded August contract dipped 21 cents (0.29%) to $73.29.
Market analyst Tony Sycamore of IG noted that prices still reflect a risk premium as traders await clarity on whether the U.S. will strike Iran or pursue peace talks. A U.S. strike could push oil prices up by $5, while peace efforts may cause a similar decline.
President Donald Trump added to the market's uncertainty by stating he has not yet decided whether to join Israel’s missile campaign against Iran. The conflict, now in its seventh day, continues to threaten Middle Eastern energy infrastructure, particularly the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 19 million barrels per day of oil and oil products flow. Iran, OPEC’s third-largest producer, pumps around 3.3 million bpd.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday but signaled two potential rate cuts this year. Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasized the cuts would be data-driven and warned that Trump’s proposed import tariffs could fuel inflation. While lower interest rates may boost oil demand by stimulating economic activity, they also risk intensifying inflationary pressures, adding another layer of complexity for energy markets.
