China’s Copper Smelters Slash Output Amid Severe Concentrate Shortage and Record Losses 
Oil Prices Rise Amid Middle East Tensions and U.S. Inventory Drop 
Ireland's Economy Faces Slowdown Amid Rising Global Risks and U.S. Policy Uncertainty 
Japan’s Exports Rise for Fifth Month Amid U.S. Tariff Concerns 
Ireland’s Economy Faces 1.8% Decline by 2032 Amid U.S.-EU Trade Tensions 
Asian Stocks Mixed as China’s Rally Stalls, Japan Gains on BOJ Outlook 
Wall Street Slips as Fed Rate Cut Optimism Fades; Apple, Tesla in Focus 
Aussie Supermarkets Under Fire as Prices Soar and Profits Rise 
Oil Prices Dip as Russia Eases Attacks on Ukraine’s Energy Sector 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rate Unchanged as Focus Shifts to Fiscal Stimulus 
Hong Kong Holds Base Rate at 4.75% as U.S. Fed Keeps Rates Steady 
Gold Glitters Near Record Highs Amid Fed Cuts and Global Tensions. 
Fed Holds Rates Steady Amid Economic Uncertainty and Tariff Concerns 
China’s Restaurant Meltdown: Price Wars, Closures, and a Struggling Economy 
Dollar Strengthens as Fed Holds Rates and Market Eyes Trump Tariff Moves 
BOJ to Hold Rates Steady Amid Trump’s Tariff Uncertainty 
US stock index futures inched higher in holiday-thinned trade on Monday, with investors wary of potential new trade tariffs and prolonged high interest rates. Limited trading volumes due to a US market holiday offered few cues from Wall Street. Investors focused on President Donald Trump’s renewed plans for reciprocal tariffs and the Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates after persistent inflation data last week.
S&P 500 Futures rose 0.2% to 6,141.0 points, Nasdaq 100 Futures gained 0.1% to 22,220.0 points, and Dow Jones Futures climbed 0.2% to 44,712.0 points.
Trump reiterated his intention to impose tariffs matching duties on US exports, particularly targeting countries with a value-added tax system, affecting importers in Europe and Asia. Having recently imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum and 10% on Chinese goods, Trump signaled that new tariffs might be implemented by April, providing short-term relief to markets.
The S&P 500 closed flat at 6,114.63 points on Friday, while the NASDAQ Composite rose 0.4% to 20,026.77 points, and the Dow Jones fell 0.4% to 44,546.08 points.
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller downplayed the inflationary impact of Trump's tariffs but emphasized the need to maintain current interest rates due to persistent inflation and a robust labor market. After 1% in rate cuts through 2024, the Fed kept rates steady in January and is expected to maintain them in the near term.
Despite tariff concerns, investors remain cautious, with markets closely monitoring economic indicators and policy signals. As global trade tensions escalate, market volatility may persist, underscoring the importance of staying informed and prepared.
