Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
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 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Wall Street’s main indexes climbed on Thursday, supported by strong earnings from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) that reinforced investor optimism about artificial intelligence (AI) and extended a rally in chip stocks. TSMC, the world’s largest maker of advanced chips, raised its full-year revenue forecast, citing surging demand from AI spending. Despite initial gains of over 2% before the opening bell, U.S.-listed TSMC shares slipped 1.1% amid volatile trading.
The upbeat sentiment spread across major U.S. chipmakers. Nvidia rose 1.2%, Micron Technology advanced 2.7%, and Broadcom gained 1.3%, lifting the S&P 500 tech sector by 0.5%. Analysts said investor enthusiasm for AI continues to be fueled by strong spending from tech giants and hyperscalers, with investors now exploring adjacent opportunities beyond traditional chipmakers.
Recent positive momentum in AI-related stocks and expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts have supported markets in recent months. Strong earnings from major banks also highlighted economic resilience, even as official macroeconomic data remain delayed due to the ongoing government shutdown.
At 10:02 a.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 83.57 points, or 0.18%, to 46,336.88. The S&P 500 gained 19.62 points, or 0.29%, to 6,690.68, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 115.74 points, or 0.51%, to 22,785.82. The S&P 500 communication services sector advanced 0.7%, while financials declined 0.9%.
In geopolitical news, tensions flared as China accused the U.S. of inciting panic over rare earth export controls, rejecting Washington’s call to ease restrictions. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump threatened to impose additional 100% tariffs on Chinese goods but remains open to meeting President Xi Jinping later this month.
Elsewhere, Salesforce shares surged 7.1% after projecting 2030 revenue above $60 billion, while Hewlett Packard Enterprise fell 8.6% on weaker profit guidance. J.B. Hunt jumped 17.7% following stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings.
