Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Netanyahu to Meet Trump in Washington as Iran Nuclear Talks Intensify 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
US Pushes Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Before Summer Amid Escalating Attacks 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Pentagon Ends Military Education Programs With Harvard University 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
U.S. to Begin Paying UN Dues as Financial Crisis Spurs Push for Reforms 
U.S. Lawmakers to Review Unredacted Jeffrey Epstein DOJ Files Starting Monday 
Asian currencies rose slightly on Monday as the U.S. dollar weakened ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. Markets remained cautious amid concerns about potential trade tariffs on Chinese exports, which could trigger a trade war and impact trade-dependent Asian economies.
The US Dollar Index dropped 0.3% during Asian trading, retreating from a 26-month high reached last week. Dollar Index Futures were also down 0.3%, reflecting a continued retreat after the Federal Reserve’s hawkish stance last month.
The Chinese yuan showed muted movements despite the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) maintaining its loan prime rates. The onshore USD/CNY pair inched up 0.1%, while the offshore USD/CNH gained 0.2%. The PBOC kept its one-year loan prime rate steady at 3.1% and its five-year rate at 3.60%, aiming to support the yuan, sustain liquidity, and bolster economic recovery.
The Japanese yen’s USD/JPY pair fell 0.3% as markets anticipated an interest rate hike from the Bank of Japan (BOJ) in its upcoming policy meeting. Sources suggest the BOJ is likely to continue raising rates if economic recovery persists.
The Malaysian ringgit’s USD/MYR pair slipped 0.1% ahead of Bank Negara Malaysia’s rate decision, with analysts expecting rates to remain at 3.00%. Meanwhile, the Australian dollar rose 0.2%, and the Singapore dollar fell 0.3%.
The South Korean won declined 0.4% as political turmoil weighed on the currency. The Thai baht remained stable, and the Indian rupee edged 0.1% lower.
Asian currency markets will closely watch developments following Trump’s inauguration, with trade policies expected to influence future movements.
