Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
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 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Asian shares climbed Monday, fueled by strong demand for tech giants like Nvidia, Alphabet, and Amazon, pushing S&P 500 futures to a fresh all-time high. Nasdaq futures rose 0.3%, while S&P 500 e-minis added 0.2%. Japan’s Nikkei jumped 1%, South Korea’s KOSPI gained 0.5%, and MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index outside Japan edged up 0.1%.
The bullish sentiment came despite caution over U.S. fiscal policy. Investors are watching progress on President Trump’s massive tax-and-spending bill, which the Congressional Budget Office estimates could add $3.3 trillion to U.S. debt. Meanwhile, Friday’s holiday brings U.S. non-farm payrolls data forward, with economists forecasting a modest 110,000 job gain and a rise in the unemployment rate to 4.3%.
Weaker labor data could boost odds of a July rate cut from the Federal Reserve. JPMorgan’s Michael Feroli noted that rising continuing claims and falling consumer confidence point to softening job conditions. A higher unemployment print could shift futures to price in deeper cuts beyond the currently expected 63 basis points for 2025.
U.S. Treasury yields held steady at 3.27% as easing expectations supported bonds despite concerns over ballooning deficits. However, the dollar weakened on expectations of slower growth and rate cuts. The euro hovered at $1.1731, sterling at $1.3719, and the yen strengthened to 144.48 per dollar. The U.S. dollar index slipped to 97.163, with Capital Economics warning further declines may trigger a broader selloff.
Gold prices fell to $3,266/oz as risk appetite returned, while oil extended its losses. Brent crude dropped to $67.22 and WTI to $64.84 amid concerns over rising OPEC+ supply and last week’s steep 12% drop.
