Indonesian Stocks Slide After MSCI Flags Investability Risks and Downgrade Threat 
OCBC Raises Gold Price Forecast to $5,600 as Structural Demand and Uncertainty Persist 
Asian Stock Markets Rise on AI Optimism Ahead of Fed Decision and U.S. Tech Earnings 
China to Boost Brazilian Soybean Imports in Early 2026 Amid Price Advantage 
RBA Expected to Raise Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points in February, ANZ Forecast Says 
Oil Prices Hit Four-Month High as Geopolitical Risks and Supply Disruptions Intensify 
UK Vehicle Production Falls Sharply in 2025 Amid Cyberattack, Tariffs, and Industry Restructuring 
Bank of England Expected to Hold Interest Rates at 3.75% as Inflation Remains Elevated 
South Korea Industry Minister Heads to Washington Amid U.S. Tariff Hike Concerns 
Gold Prices Smash Record Above $5,200 as Haven Demand Surges 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Rebounds Ahead of Fed Rate Decision 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Lower as Tech Earnings and Fed Decision Shape Market Sentiment 
Bank of Canada Holds Interest Rate at 2.25% Amid Trade and Global Uncertainty 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady as Fed Decision and Big Tech Earnings Loom 
UK Housing Market Gains Momentum in Early 2026 as Mortgage Rates Fall 
ECB’s Cipollone Backs Digital Euro as Europe Pushes for Payment System Independence 
Australia Inflation Surprise Fuels Rate Hike Expectations Ahead of RBA Meeting 
Asian stock markets took a breather on Thursday after a strong rally, as mixed tech earnings and caution ahead of Apple’s results prompted investors to reassess risk. Market sentiment was also influenced by a shaky U.S. dollar, surging commodity prices, and fresh geopolitical tensions, keeping global financial markets on edge.
Equities across Asia pulled back slightly, with South Korean stocks slipping 1.2% despite having surged more than 20% earlier in the month. Taiwan’s tech-heavy market, still up nearly 14% over the same period, also eased. Japan’s Nikkei edged down 0.1%, weighed by sharp currency swings and rising domestic bond yields. MSCI’s broad Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan fell 0.6%, signaling a pause in momentum rather than a full reversal.
On Wall Street, U.S. stock futures dipped as investors digested contrasting signals from major technology companies. Microsoft shares dropped sharply after concerns that its aggressive AI capital expenditure may not deliver sufficient returns, while Meta’s strong revenue outlook and higher AI spending plans boosted its shares significantly. Attention now centers on Apple’s earnings, with expectations of solid performance driven by iPhone demand and tighter cost control.
The U.S. Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged, as widely expected, with Chair Jerome Powell highlighting an improving economic outlook. Markets responded by scaling back expectations for near-term rate cuts, though June remains the most likely window for easing. Political pressure on the Fed and uncertainty around U.S. fiscal policy continued to weigh on the dollar.
Currency markets reflected this uncertainty, with the euro rising toward $1.20 and the dollar weakening against the yen and Swiss franc. Analysts warned that sustained dollar weakness could prompt central banks, including the European Central Bank, to consider interest rate cuts.
Rising demand for hard assets pushed gold and silver to record highs, while oil prices climbed to four-month peaks amid concerns that potential U.S. action against Iran could disrupt global supply. Overall, global markets remain finely balanced between optimism around earnings and AI growth, and caution driven by policy uncertainty, geopolitics, and stretched valuations.
