Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Asian semiconductor stocks climbed on Thursday after the U.S. Commerce Department lifted export restrictions on chip design software to China, following a recent trade agreement between Washington and Beijing. The move is seen as a step toward easing ongoing tech tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
Leading American chip design firms Synopsys (NASDAQ:SNPS) and Cadence Design Systems (NASDAQ:CDNS) confirmed they can now resume supplying electronic design automation (EDA) tools to Chinese companies. The resumption of access to these critical tools sparked optimism across Asia's chip sector.
South Korea’s Samsung Electronics (KS:005930) surged nearly 3%, while SK Hynix (KS:000660) rose 0.8% on expectations that the policy shift will help secure essential design technologies. In Japan, Renesas Electronics (TYO:6723) gained almost 5%, and Tokyo Electron Ltd. (TYO:8035) advanced 1.8%.
In China, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (HK:0981) traded slightly lower despite a broader market downturn, while Hua Hong Semiconductor Ltd (HK:1347) edged up 0.3%. Shenzhen-listed NAURA Technology Group (SZ:002371), a key chipmaking equipment supplier, added 1%.
Beijing had previously cited U.S. export restrictions on chip technology as a major friction point. The rollback of these restrictions marks a notable concession and could pave the way for more cooperation in high-tech sectors.
The rally underscores investor confidence that reduced export barriers may support supply chain stability and benefit semiconductor manufacturers across Asia. The easing of EDA tool access is especially critical for China’s chip development ambitions amid ongoing efforts to boost domestic semiconductor capabilities.
