Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
U.S. stock futures traded flat Thursday evening after Wall Street’s major indexes reached fresh record highs, as investors weighed stronger-than-expected inflation against signs of a cooling labor market.
At 20:10 ET (00:10 GMT), S&P 500 Futures stood at 6,593.25, Nasdaq 100 Futures at 24,019.75, and Dow Jones Futures at 46,144.0, all holding steady. Earlier, the S&P 500 gained 0.9%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 1.4% past 46,000 for the first time, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.7%.
The rally followed new economic data showing U.S. consumer prices rose 0.4% in August, the sharpest increase since January, lifting annual inflation to 2.9%. While inflation remains above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, concerns are shifting toward the labor market as weekly jobless claims climbed to 263,000, the highest since 2021. This comes after last week’s disappointing nonfarm payrolls report, reinforcing expectations of a Fed rate cut at its September 16-17 meeting. Markets are pricing in a near-certain 25 basis point cut, with smaller odds of a larger move.
Analysts noted that while tariffs could keep inflation elevated, the Fed is prioritizing weakening employment trends. Rising jobless claims highlight increasing layoffs, with subdued hiring adding pressure on policymakers.
In corporate news, Warner Bros Discovery (NASDAQ:WBD) shares soared nearly 30% after reports that Paramount Skydance Corp (NASDAQ:PSKY) is preparing a majority-cash bid. Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE) rose over 3% in extended trading after beating revenue and profit estimates, driven by demand for AI-powered tools, and raised its annual outlook. Kroger (NYSE:KR) posted stronger-than-expected earnings and lifted its full-year forecast, though shares remained flat. Centene Corp (NYSE:CNC) jumped more than 10% after reaffirming its 2025 earnings guidance.
