U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Economic Growth Projections for 2024
On Monday, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced that it expects the country's gross domestic product (GDP) growth to land at the upper end of its 2%-3% forecast range for 2024. This positive outlook is supported by robust economic performance in the third quarter of 2023.
Strengthening Economic Indicators
According to the MAS's latest macroeconomic review, the third quarter saw a significant strengthening in economic growth, attributed to a recovery in the manufacturing sector, increased trading activities in finance, and a resurgence of Chinese tourists following a visa exemption introduced in February. Preliminary data indicates that Q3 GDP rose by 4.1% year-on-year, building on a 2.7% growth recorded in Q2.
Potential Risks Ahead
However, the MAS cautioned that 2025 may pose challenges for Singapore's trade-dependent economy. Heightened global uncertainties, including the outcome of the upcoming U.S. presidential election, escalating geopolitical tensions, and a potential slowdown in China, could adversely impact global trade dynamics. Additionally, the sustainability of the AI-driven global tech cycle recovery remains uncertain.
Inflation Trends and Outlook
Despite a slight rise in annual inflation to 2.8% in September—up from a two-and-a-half-year low of 2.5% in July—the MAS maintains that core inflation is expected to ease to around 2% by the end of the year. The authority anticipates core and headline inflation to average between 1.5% and 2.5% in 2025, suggesting a balanced inflation outlook moving forward.
