Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
UK Starting Salaries See Strongest Growth in 18 Months as Hiring Sentiment Improves 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Nikkei 225 Hits Record High Above 56,000 After Japan Election Boosts Market Confidence 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
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 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
U.S. stock futures fell sharply on Monday as fresh tariff threats from President Donald Trump rattled global financial markets, pushing investors toward traditional safe-haven assets such as gold, the Japanese yen, and the Swiss franc. The renewed trade tensions, centered on Europe and linked to U.S. demands over Greenland, sparked concerns about a broader U.S.-Europe trade war and its potential impact on global economic growth.
Thin trading conditions, due to a U.S. holiday that closed equity and bond markets, amplified market moves. S&P 500 futures dropped 0.7%, while Nasdaq futures slid 1.0%. European markets followed suit, with EUROSTOXX 50 futures and Germany’s DAX futures both declining 1.1%. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei index fell 1.0%, and MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index outside Japan edged 0.1% lower.
Trump announced plans to impose an additional 10% tariff on imports from eight European countries starting February 1, escalating to 25% by June if no agreement is reached. The targeted nations include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and Britain. European leaders condemned the move as economic blackmail, while France floated the idea of using previously untested countermeasures, including the EU’s Anti-Coercion Instrument and suspended tariffs on $108 billion worth of U.S. goods.
Currency markets reflected the risk-off mood. The dollar weakened against the yen and Swiss franc, while the euro and British pound managed modest rebounds. Gold surged 1.5% to a record high of $4,664 an ounce, and silver also hit new highs as investors sought safety. Oil prices slipped on fears that escalating trade tensions could curb global demand, with Brent crude falling to $63.84 a barrel and U.S. crude to $59.18.
Looking ahead, investors are watching key events including China’s economic growth data, the Bank of Japan policy meeting, delayed U.S. inflation figures, and a busy corporate earnings season featuring major companies like Netflix, Johnson & Johnson, General Electric, and Intel. All eyes will also be on the World Economic Forum in Davos, where global leaders, including Trump, are set to meet amid heightened economic uncertainty.
