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 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Wall Street closed higher on Friday, marking its fifth consecutive day of gains, as investors reacted positively to easing U.S.-China trade tensions despite concerning economic data. The S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow all posted strong weekly performances, driven by optimism from a 90-day tariff truce between Washington and Beijing.
The S&P 500 climbed 0.70% to 5,958.38, the Dow rose 0.78% to 42,654.74, and the Nasdaq added 0.52% to close at 19,211.10. For the week, the S&P 500 jumped 5.3%, the Nasdaq surged 7.2%, and the Dow gained 3.4%.
However, consumer sentiment slipped. The University of Michigan’s index showed a decline in May, while one-year inflation expectations jumped to 7.3% from 6.5%. Despite the data, investors remained focused on the trade de-escalation and potential monetary policy shifts.
In extended trading, ETFs tracking the S&P 500 and Nasdaq dipped about 1% after Moody’s downgraded the U.S. credit rating, citing rising debt and interest payments. Market strategist Lindsey Bell noted that while the rally reflects optimism, volatility could persist due to tariff and economic uncertainties.
Energy was the only sector in the red (-0.18%), while healthcare led gains (+1.96%), buoyed by a 6.4% rebound in UnitedHealth Group after recent losses. Applied Materials fell 5.3% after missing revenue estimates, while Charter Communications rose 1.8% on news of a $21.9 billion deal to acquire Cox Communications. Verizon shares climbed 1.7% after the FCC approved its $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications.
Advancing stocks outpaced decliners on both the NYSE and Nasdaq, with robust trading volume totaling 17.61 billion shares—above the 20-session average.
Investors remain cautiously optimistic, awaiting further clarity on tariffs and U.S. tax policy amid political roadblocks in Congress.
