Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
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 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
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 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
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 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Russian stocks closed slightly lower on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index remaining flat at 0.00%, hitting a new six-month low amid weak market sentiment.
Despite the stagnant index, some individual stocks showed resilience. Aluminum giant OK Rusal MKPAO (MCX:RUAL) rose 1.15% to 28.05, while steelmaker Magnitogorskiy Metallurgicheskiy Kombinat (MCX:MAGN) added 1.05%, closing at 31.68. Fertilizer producer PhosAgro PJSC (MCX:PHOR) also gained 1.00%, ending at 5,881.00.
On the downside, Moskovskiy Kreditnyi Bank (MCX:CBOM) slipped 0.71% to 6.55. Mobile operator Mobil’nye Telesistemy PJSC (MCX:MTSS) declined 0.46% to 192.75, and gold miner Polyus PJSC (MCX:PLZL) fell 0.32% to 1,784.20.
Market breadth remained positive with 87 advancing stocks versus 49 decliners, while 8 closed unchanged. The Russian Volatility Index (RVI), which tracks expected volatility on MOEX options, remained steady at 31.83.
Commodity markets provided a mixed backdrop. Gold futures for August delivery climbed 1.15% to $3,364.00 per troy ounce, reflecting stronger safe-haven demand. Crude oil futures for August surged 2.82% to $68.45 per barrel, while Brent crude for September delivery advanced 2.51% to $70.36, signaling increased confidence in energy markets.
In currency trading, the Russian ruble weakened against major peers. The USD/RUB pair rose 0.53% to 77.96, while EUR/RUB climbed 0.44% to 91.14. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index Futures edged higher by 0.22%, settling at 97.53.
While the MOEX Russia Index struggled, selective gains in commodities and individual equities highlighted mixed investor sentiment amid broader market uncertainty.
