Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
India Budget 2026: Modi Government Eyes Reforms Amid Global Uncertainty and Fiscal Pressures 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
EU Recovery Fund Faces Bottlenecks Despite Driving Digital and Green Projects 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
The Japanese yen weakened on Monday as expectations grew that Sanae Takaichi, a staunch supporter of aggressive fiscal and monetary stimulus, is set to become Japan’s next prime minister. Reports indicated that Takaichi secured key political backing, boosting investor confidence in risk assets and weakening demand for the safe-haven yen.
Market sentiment improved after trade tensions between the U.S. and China eased and concerns over U.S. regional banks subsided. The U.S. dollar gained 0.2% to 150.82 yen at 0010 GMT, rebounding from Friday’s 1.1% drop sparked by fears of bad loans and trade disputes over Chinese rare earth exports.
Investors reignited the so-called “Takaichi trade” — bullish on Japanese equities and bearish on the yen — following reports from Kyodo that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party (JIP) will formalize an alliance ahead of Tuesday’s parliamentary vote. Takaichi’s leadership prospects brightened after forming ties with the right-leaning JIP, following a split with Komeito, the LDP’s coalition partner for 26 years.
The shift in sentiment also buoyed risk-sensitive currencies. The Australian dollar advanced 0.3% to $0.6500, while the euro edged up 0.1% to $1.1661. Traders are watching China’s upcoming GDP data closely, as it remains Australia’s largest trading partner.
Wall Street’s main indexes closed higher after easing credit concerns, with analysts noting strong balance sheets among major banks. “There’s a lot more bark than bite on credit fears,” said Jed Ellerbroek of Argent Capital.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged that a proposed 100% tariff on Chinese goods would be “not sustainable” and confirmed plans to meet with President Xi Jinping in two weeks, calming fears of further escalation.
