U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
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 
Oil prices climbed to a four-month high during Asian trading on Thursday, extending recent gains as heightened geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran prompted traders to price in a higher risk premium. The rally was further supported by ongoing supply disruptions in the U.S. caused by extreme winter weather, alongside continued weakness in the U.S. dollar.
Brent crude futures for March delivery rose 0.8% to $68.96 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained 0.9% to $63.75 per barrel. The weaker dollar, which tends to make commodities priced in dollars more attractive to international buyers, added to the upward momentum after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged, as markets had widely anticipated.
Investor focus remained firmly on escalating U.S.-Iran tensions. Reports indicated that U.S. President Donald Trump was considering further military actions against Iran, including possible strikes targeting senior leadership and nuclear facilities. Earlier comments from Trump urging Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions and reengage diplomatically were met with firm rejection from Tehran, which also warned of potential retaliation. The recent arrival of U.S. naval forces in the Middle East, along with claims that additional forces are en route, has fueled concerns over possible disruptions to Iranian oil production, a key factor driving crude prices higher.
At the same time, severe winter storms across large parts of the United States have significantly disrupted domestic oil supply. Sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall forced the shutdown of roughly 2 million barrels per day of crude production over the past week. Exports from the U.S. Gulf Coast were also affected, tightening overall supply conditions.
These disruptions were reflected in U.S. inventory data, which showed a sharp and unexpected decline. Government figures revealed that U.S. crude oil inventories fell by 2.295 million barrels in the week ending January 23, far exceeding market expectations for a modest 0.2 million barrel draw. Together, geopolitical uncertainty, weather-driven supply constraints, and supportive macroeconomic factors have combined to push oil prices to their highest levels in months, keeping markets on edge.
