Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
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 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
U.S. stocks closed higher on Friday, recovering from a volatile start to the week as gains in technology and AI-related shares outweighed sharp declines in consumer stocks such as Nike. Major indexes finished in positive territory, supported by renewed optimism around artificial intelligence and expectations of future Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.
Technology megacaps extended Thursday’s rally after Micron Technology delivered upbeat forecasts that reassured investors about long-term AI demand. Micron shares surged 7% to a record closing high, while Nvidia climbed 3.9% following news that the U.S. government launched a review that could allow shipments of Nvidia’s second-most powerful AI chip to China. The development helped ease concerns around export restrictions and boosted sentiment across semiconductor stocks.
Oracle shares jumped 6.6% after ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent, signed binding agreements to transfer control of TikTok’s U.S. operations to a group of investors that includes Oracle, strengthening the company’s position in cloud computing and enterprise technology. Market participants noted that AI-linked stocks had recently faced pressure due to valuation concerns, but Micron’s results encouraged investors to rotate back into the sector.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 183 points, or 0.38%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.88% and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.31%. For the week, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posted modest gains, though the Dow finished lower. Seven of the S&P 500’s sectors ended Friday higher, led by technology, while utilities and consumer staples lagged.
Consumer-focused stocks weighed on the market, with Nike plunging 10.5% after reporting another decline in gross margins driven by weak China sales and product restructuring efforts. Lamb Weston sank nearly 26% after warning of softer demand, and Conagra slipped following disappointing earnings.
Investors also reacted to data showing U.S. consumer prices rose less than expected in November, reinforcing bets on at least two interest rate cuts next year. However, analysts cautioned that volatility may increase after the holidays, especially following Friday’s “triple witching” options expiration.
