South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Russian stocks closed lower on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index dropping 0.98%, weighed down by declines in the mining, telecoms, and power sectors.
PhosAgro PJSC (MCX:PHOR) led the gainers, rising 0.85% to 6,633.00. TATNEFT (MCX:TATN) added 0.77% to close at 693.90, while LUKOIL PJSC (MCX:LKOH) climbed 0.73%, ending at 7,346.50.
On the downside, PIK SHb PJSC (MCX:PIKK) was the session’s worst performer, falling 5.80% to 590.00. AFK Sistema PJSC (MCX:AFKS) dropped 3.25% to 18.74, and VK Company Ltd (MCX:VKCO) lost 2.35%, closing at 294.40.
Market sentiment remained cautious, with declining stocks outnumbering gainers. The Russian Volatility Index (RVI), which gauges implied volatility on MOEX Russia Index options, fell sharply by 11.03% to 42.04, indicating reduced investor uncertainty despite the market downturn.
In commodities, April gold futures slipped 0.74% to $3,021.40 per troy ounce. Crude oil for May delivery eased 0.26% to $67.89 a barrel. However, Brent oil for May edged up 0.22% to $72.16.
On the currency front, the ruble strengthened against major currencies. USD/RUB fell 0.50% to 84.50, while EUR/RUB declined 0.84% to 91.37. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index Futures gained 0.24%, reaching 103.74.
With geopolitical factors and commodity prices continuing to influence market trends, investors remain vigilant. The decline in MOEX reflects broader caution across global markets, especially amid shifting energy and currency dynamics.
