South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
U.S. stock index futures rose slightly on Tuesday evening after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s cautious remarks and disappointing business activity data reignited concerns about economic growth. The modest uptick came after Wall Street’s negative session, where technology stocks led losses following weeks of artificial intelligence-driven gains.
Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU) delivered stronger-than-expected quarterly results, boosting sentiment in the semiconductor sector. However, the stock gained only marginally in after-hours trading. By 19:20 ET (23:20 GMT), S&P 500 Futures were up 0.1% to 6,718.75, Nasdaq 100 Futures also added 0.1% to 24,849.25, while Dow Jones Futures remained flat at 46,654.0.
Investors remained on edge over a possible U.S. government shutdown as bipartisan negotiations over a spending bill showed little progress, with just over a week before funding runs out.
Powell’s comments further pressured markets. He emphasized that the Fed faces “no risk-free path” in managing inflation and labor market weakness. Speaking in Rhode Island, Powell noted that while U.S. growth has slowed and the labor market cooled, inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target. He stressed a cautious, data-dependent approach to interest rate cuts, warning against moving too aggressively. The Fed cut rates by 25 basis points last week, with markets still pricing in at least two more cuts in 2025.
His remarks also dampened hopes for further easing, while pointing out that stock valuations appear “fairly highly valued.” This sparked profit-taking in mega-cap tech, with Nvidia dropping 2.8% and Apple sliding 0.6%. Weak September PMI data also raised concerns about slowing growth across manufacturing and services.
The S&P 500 closed down 0.6% at 6,656.96, the Nasdaq Composite fell 1% to 22,573.47, and the Dow slipped 0.2% to 46,292.78.
Markets now await Thursday’s final Q2 GDP data and Friday’s PCE price index, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge. Both readings are expected to shape expectations for future interest rate decisions.
