U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
EU Recovery Fund Faces Bottlenecks Despite Driving Digital and Green Projects 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
The U.S. dollar climbed to a two-week high against the yen on Monday, buoyed by optimism over global trade talks and anticipation of major central bank meetings. The greenback gained 0.15% to 153.07 yen, touching its strongest level since October 10, while the dollar index edged up 0.05% to 98.97.
The Australian dollar rose 0.2% to $0.6528, supported by progress in trade negotiations between the U.S. and China that lifted investor sentiment toward risk assets. Meanwhile, the euro held steady at $1.1622 but surged to a record 178.13 yen, as the Japanese currency weakened sharply. The Swiss franc also hit an all-time high of 192.25 yen. Sterling gained slightly, up 0.04% to $1.3314.
Market attention now turns to a busy week of diplomacy and monetary policy decisions. U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, where the two leaders are expected to finalize the framework of a trade deal. Ahead of that, Trump will visit Japan and meet Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Investors are also watching the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy meeting closely. The Fed is expected to cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to a range of 4%–4.25%, following weaker inflation data. Analysts suggest that while rate cuts are already priced in, markets will focus on Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s comments for signals about future monetary easing.
In Asia, the Bank of Japan is likely to keep its policy rate unchanged at 0.5%, although discussions on potential rate hikes could emerge as economic concerns ease.
Cryptocurrencies mirrored the upbeat sentiment—Bitcoin gained 1.6% to $115,157.36, while Ethereum rose 3.3% to $4,198.69, reflecting broader optimism across financial markets.
