Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Asian stock markets slipped Thursday as investors sought safe-haven assets amid rising geopolitical tensions. Concerns over possible U.S. involvement in the escalating Israel-Iran air war drove demand for gold and the Japanese yen.
President Donald Trump fueled uncertainty, saying, “I may do it. I may not do it,” when asked if the U.S. would join Israel’s attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump approved strike plans but is holding off to see if Iran halts its nuclear ambitions.
Japan’s Nikkei dropped 0.8%, pressured by the yen’s 0.2% rise to 144.92 per dollar, which dampens exporter earnings. Taiwan’s benchmark fell 0.9%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 0.8%.
Gold rose 0.3% to $3,378 per ounce. Brent crude edged down to $76.32, still close to Friday’s 4.5-month high of $78.50. U.S. S&P 500 futures were down 0.4%, although American markets were closed for a holiday.
“Markets remain edgy,” said Kyle Rodda, senior analyst at Capital.com. “Speculation—possibly encouraged by the Trump administration—that the U.S. will intervene in Iran is keeping volatility high. Any strike risks broader conflict, threatening global energy supply and economic stability.”
The U.S. dollar also gained, rising 0.1% to $1.1472 per euro and 0.2% to $1.3398 versus the pound. The Swiss franc dipped 0.1% to 0.8193 per dollar ahead of policy announcements by the Bank of England and Swiss National Bank. The BOE is expected to hold rates steady, while the SNB may cut by 25 basis points.
Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve kept rates unchanged and signaled two potential cuts this year. However, Chair Jerome Powell warned that Trump’s aggressive tariffs could fuel “meaningful” inflation, complicating the path for easing.
