Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
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.
