Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
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 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Asian currencies traded in a narrow range on Friday as the U.S. dollar rebounded modestly from a near four-year low, following comments from U.S. President Donald Trump that he would announce his nominee for the next Federal Reserve Chairman later in the day. Despite the dollar’s late recovery, most Asian currencies were on track to post strong gains for January, reflecting a broad shift by traders away from the greenback amid rising global uncertainty.
The U.S. dollar has been under sustained pressure this month as concerns over Trump’s economic policies, fiscal health, and escalating geopolitical tensions weighed heavily on sentiment. Investors increasingly rotated into gold, physical assets, and regional currencies, driving the dollar index to its worst monthly performance since August 2025, with losses of around 1.8%.
Among Asian currencies, the Australian dollar emerged as the strongest performer, with the AUD/USD pair rising nearly 5% in January. Although the pair slipped about 0.6% on Friday, it remained close to a two-year high. The Australian dollar was supported by expectations that the Reserve Bank of Australia will raise interest rates by at least 25 basis points at its upcoming policy meeting, following a sharp uptick in fourth-quarter inflation data. Signs of resilience in the Australian economy have further strengthened the case for tighter monetary policy.
The Japanese yen also posted solid gains this month as speculation grew over potential government intervention to stabilize currency markets. The USD/JPY pair declined about 1.8% in January, although it rebounded slightly on Friday after Tokyo inflation data showed a sharp slowdown, potentially complicating the Bank of Japan’s rate hike outlook.
The Chinese yuan benefited from sustained dollar weakness, with USD/CNY touching its strongest level in nearly three years, aided by firm midpoint fixings from the People’s Bank of China. In contrast, the Indian rupee lagged behind its regional peers, hitting record lows and falling more than 2% this month due to concerns over slowing economic growth and stalled U.S.-India trade talks.
Elsewhere, the South Korean won and Singapore dollar both posted monthly gains, reflecting broader strength across Asian currencies despite short-term volatility in global markets.
