South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Asian currencies posted modest gains on Thursday, lifted by a weaker U.S. dollar after disappointing ADP payroll data heightened expectations of further interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The greenback slipped as the soft labor report signaled deeper cracks in the U.S. job market, with attention now turning to the upcoming nonfarm payrolls data for clearer direction.
The Japanese yen weakened slightly, with USDJPY up 0.1%, following underwhelming wage growth figures that cast doubt on consumer spending strength and Japan’s economic outlook for 2025. Meanwhile, South Korea’s won firmed, with USDKRW down 0.1%, after revised GDP data showed a smaller-than-expected Q1 contraction. Political sentiment also improved after a liberal party victory in the recent presidential election.
The Australian dollar slipped 0.1% against the greenback after April trade data revealed weaker-than-expected performance in key commodity exports. The Singapore dollar traded flat, with USDSGD largely unchanged.
In India, the rupee edged lower ahead of the Reserve Bank of India’s widely anticipated interest rate decision. The RBI is expected to cut rates by 25 basis points to 3.75%, its third cut since February, as the central bank looks to support economic growth amid easing inflation. However, analysts remain cautious, projecting the rupee to underperform other Asian currencies in 2025 due to persistent risk aversion.
Markets remain cautious amid global uncertainty, especially surrounding U.S. trade policy under President Trump. His latest move to double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50% and a missed deadline for trade deal proposals continue to fuel investor unease. Traders are watching closely for developments in a potential Trump-Xi call, which could shift market sentiment.
