China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
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 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Asian stock markets advanced on Monday, recovering part of last week’s losses as renewed expectations of a U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cut in December strengthened investor confidence. Buying interest returned to the region’s beaten-down technology sector, although overall trading activity was somewhat subdued due to a market holiday in Japan.
Market sentiment improved after Wall Street closed higher on Friday, boosted by dovish comments from Federal Reserve officials. Futures tracking the S&P 500 climbed 0.5% in early Asian hours, signaling broader optimism ahead of key U.S. economic data releases for September, including inflation and labor market indicators. Traders are now pricing in a roughly 67% chance of a 25-basis-point rate cut in December—up sharply from last week’s estimates—according to CME FedWatch, driving demand for risk assets.
Across Asia, South Korea’s KOSPI led gains with a 1.2% rise, followed by Australia’s ASX 200, which climbed 1%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index added 1.3% as investors cautiously returned to tech names. India’s Nifty 50 futures were flat, reflecting a more measured market response.
Chinese stocks, however, underperformed. Mainland markets slipped about 0.3% as chipmaking shares experienced steep declines. Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp dropped more than 7%, while AI chip firm Cambricon Technologies also weakened. The sell-off followed reports that the U.S. may allow NVIDIA to resume sales of its advanced H200 AI chips in China, potentially reducing demand for domestically produced semiconductors and raising concerns over China’s tech self-sufficiency goals.
Still, some Chinese tech giants posted modest gains. Tencent edged up 0.7%, Alibaba added 0.3% ahead of earnings, and Baidu rose nearly 2% after a JPMorgan upgrade citing strong AI and cloud growth potential.
Despite recent volatility, investors remain focused on the potential boost that lower U.S. interest rates could bring to global liquidity and risk-driven markets.
