U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
Gold and Silver Prices Plunge as Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair 
Japan Election Poll Signals Landslide Win for Sanae Takaichi, Raising Fiscal Policy Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
Most Asian currencies strengthened on Monday as the U.S. dollar extended losses following weaker-than-expected nonfarm payrolls data, which raised uncertainty over the U.S. economy and interest rate outlook. The greenback retreated about 0.4% after Friday’s report showed July job growth slowing sharply, with downward revisions to the prior two months, signaling a cooling labor market. Concerns also mounted after President Donald Trump fired the Bureau of Labor Statistics chief, fueling doubts over U.S. economic data credibility.
Despite Monday’s gains, most regional currencies remain pressured after recent losses, driven by worries over Trump’s new trade tariffs and a mixed outlook for Federal Reserve policy. The Fed signaled last week it has no immediate plans to cut rates, though traders are now betting on rate cuts amid mounting political pressure from Trump. The early resignation of Fed Governor Adriana Kugler gives Trump another chance to reshape the central bank’s board.
Among major movers, the Japanese yen (USDJPY) rose 0.2%, benefiting from safe-haven demand. The Chinese yuan (USDCNY) climbed 0.4%, while the South Korean won (USDKRW) strengthened 0.3% and the Singapore dollar (USDSGD) gained 0.1%. The Australian dollar (AUDUSD) traded flat.
The Indian rupee, however, underperformed, with the USDINR pair inching higher after Trump announced a 25% tariff on Indian exports. Markets remain cautious as trade talks between Washington and New Delhi show little progress.
Investor attention now turns to the Reserve Bank of India’s upcoming policy meeting, where the central bank is widely expected to cut interest rates to counter economic headwinds. Meanwhile, broader Asian forex sentiment will likely remain sensitive to U.S. data, Fed policy signals, and ongoing trade tensions.
