Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Notes from WSJ:
- Japan's unemployment rate now sits near a 17-year low at 3.6%-a level that nearly qualifies as full employment, which traditionally would make wages rise
- But nonregular jobs have grown to 19.9 million from 18.2 million since Mr. Abe took office two years ago, while permanent, full-time positions have fallen to 32.7 million from 33.4 million
- Economists at the Japan Institute for Labor Policy and Training say the large and rising number of workers in nonregular jobs is a drag on the economy, depressing wage growth and consumer spending, which accounts for 60% of gross domestic product.
More at WSJ: Japan Has Plenty of Jobs, but Workers Still Struggle
