Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
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 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
U.S. stocks closed at record highs for a third consecutive session on Monday, lifted by technology shares. Nvidia jumped 3.9% after announcing plans to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI and supply the AI firm with data center chips, fueling further optimism about artificial intelligence growth. Apple shares climbed 4.3% after Wedbush raised its price target on strong demand signals for the iPhone 17, while Tesla gained 1.9%.
Technology stocks drove the S&P 500 sector gains, which ended 1.7% higher. The S&P 500 has now risen 13.8% year-to-date and 3.6% in September, traditionally a weak month for markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 66.27 points, or 0.14%, to 46,381.54, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 157.50 points, or 0.70%, to 22,788.98. The S&P 500 gained 29.39 points, or 0.44%, closing at 6,693.75.
Investor sentiment was mixed as Federal Reserve officials delivered varying views on rate cuts. St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem and Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic signaled caution, stressing inflation control over additional easing. Meanwhile, Fed Governor Stephen Miran, who dissented in favor of a larger rate cut last week, warned monetary policy remains restrictive.
Market watchers noted valuations are stretched, with some investors awaiting new catalysts for further gains. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s newly announced visa fee hikes drew criticism from tech executives, and Kenvue shares fell 7.5% on fears of a Tylenol-autism link before rebounding 4.7% after Trump’s FDA remarks.
Traders now look ahead to key economic data, including the U.S. personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, a closely followed inflation gauge. Market breadth remained positive, with advancing issues outnumbering decliners on both the NYSE and Nasdaq. Trading volume reached 18.65 billion shares, above the 20-day average.
