India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
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 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
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 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
U.S. stocks surged Monday, bouncing back from Friday’s sharp selloff as investors welcomed signs of easing tensions between Washington and Beijing. The S&P 500 jumped 1.6%, the Nasdaq Composite soared 3.2%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 588 points, or 1.3%, after President Donald Trump struck a conciliatory tone toward China.
Trump said over the weekend that “everything will be fine” and that the U.S. was not looking to harm China, remarks that helped calm fears of a full-blown trade war. His earlier threats to impose tariffs of up to 100% on Chinese goods and restrict exports of critical U.S. software had rattled markets, especially after Beijing expanded its export curbs on rare earth materials. However, the upcoming meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping could offer a diplomatic “off-ramp,” analysts at Capital Economics noted.
Despite hopes of de-escalation, traders remain cautious amid unpredictable policy shifts. A deeper U.S.-China rift could still weigh heavily on both economies, though China’s resilience has exceeded expectations so far.
Tech stocks led Monday’s rally, fueled by artificial intelligence enthusiasm and prospects for lower interest rates. Broadcom shares surged 10% after announcing a multiyear partnership with OpenAI to develop and deploy 10 gigawatts of custom AI accelerators and computing systems by 2029. Oracle also gained ahead of its major AI event in Las Vegas, while chipmakers ASML and TSMC prepare to release earnings later this week.
In media news, Warner Bros Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) jumped after reports that it rejected a $20-per-share takeover offer from Paramount Skydance, potentially setting the stage for renewed negotiations or a hostile bid.
Meanwhile, gold prices soared to new record highs, with spot gold hitting $4,109.79 per ounce and U.S. futures climbing to $4,128.85, as investors sought safety amid global uncertainty. Silver also reached an all-time high, underscoring strong safe-haven demand despite improving market sentiment.
