Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
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.
