Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
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 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
European stock markets edged higher on Wednesday as investors remained cautious about economic uncertainties tied to trade tensions and monetary policy moves. By 08:05 GMT, Germany’s DAX rose 0.6%, France’s CAC 40 gained 0.1%, and the UK’s FTSE 100 added 0.2%.
Market sentiment was dampened by U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed tariff threats. Trump, inaugurated earlier this week, reiterated plans to impose tariffs on EU goods and an additional 10% levy on Chinese imports starting February. European Union Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis warned of a proportionate EU response, highlighting economic interests at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Focus at Davos shifted to European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde, who hinted at potential rate cuts as growth headwinds persist. ECB policymakers, including Klaas Knot, supported market expectations for near-term monetary easing. The ECB is widely expected to lower rates by 25 basis points next week, the first of several anticipated cuts in 2025.
In corporate news, easyJet reported a smaller operating loss in its first quarter, driven by lower fuel costs and strong travel demand, boosting its shares by 1%. Chocolate maker Barry Callebaut saw lower-than-expected sales due to record-high cocoa prices. Meanwhile, OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle announced a $500 billion investment in U.S. AI infrastructure. Netflix reported record subscriber growth, adding optimism to the tech sector.
Oil prices declined, with U.S. crude futures falling 0.5% to $75.43 per barrel and Brent dropping 0.4% to $78.97. The retreat followed Trump’s declaration of a national energy emergency aimed at maximizing U.S. energy production and rolling back environmental protections.
Investors remain watchful amid global economic headwinds and geopolitical developments impacting trade, energy, and technology sectors.
