Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
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 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
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 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
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 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
The U.S. economy continues to outperform expectations, showing remarkable resilience under President Donald Trump’s renewed administration. According to Neil Shearing, Group Chief Economist at Capital Economics, the U.S. expanded by an estimated 0.9% quarter on quarter—nearly 4% annualized—in Q3 2025. In stark contrast, eurozone growth lagged at a mere 0.1–0.2% over the same period.
Earlier forecasts predicted that Trump’s trade barriers, tighter immigration policies, and policy volatility would hinder U.S. growth, while Europe was expected to rebound through fiscal expansion in Germany. However, Shearing notes that optimism about Europe’s recovery was misplaced, with Berlin’s fiscal stimulus delayed until late 2026 and much of its spending offset by rising pension and healthcare costs.
Europe’s stagnation is now seen as structural rather than cyclical. Germany’s industrial base continues to contract following the energy crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine, and China’s transition from a key export market to a direct competitor has deepened challenges. France, meanwhile, faces fiscal tightening pressures, further restricting regional flexibility.
Despite ongoing trade tensions, tariffs, and even a government shutdown, the U.S. economy has maintained momentum. Headline inflation holds steady around 3%, while productivity in the non-financial corporate sector has surged roughly 3.5% year on year. This improvement is fueled by a sharp rise in investment—technology hardware spending is up nearly 20% and software investment by 10%.
Shearing attributes this productivity boom to artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and digital transformation, which are giving the U.S. a unique competitive edge. Capital Economics projects business investment to grow 4.7% in 2026 and 5.2% in 2027, reinforcing America’s lead in tech-driven growth.
As Europe remains sluggish, the U.S. stands as a global outlier—its innovation, AI readiness, and productivity gains continuing to power economic expansion despite policy headwinds.
