South Korea GDP Surges on Chip and AI Boom 
Japan GDP Growth Beats Forecast, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Bets 
China Expands Influence in Global Gold Market 
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UK House Prices Fall for First Time Since 2023 
Iran Vows Tougher Response as U.S. Sanctions Squeeze Economy 
Asian Stocks Mixed as Korean Chipmakers Rally 
Uranium Prices Could Top $100 as Nuclear Demand Grows 
OPEC+ Expected to Hold October Oil Output Steady 
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Canada Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Goods Take Effect 
US Stock Futures Mixed as Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
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Jefferies Names 6 Top India Stock Picks Across Key Sectors 
China to Inject $45 Billion Into State Financial Institutions 
ECB Set for September Rate Hike as Energy Prices Fuel Inflation 
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Most Asian currencies weakened on Tuesday as Lunar New Year holidays across major regional markets led to thin trading volumes, while the U.S. dollar edged higher ahead of crucial economic data releases. With China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Singapore closed for the holiday, overall market activity remained subdued. Chinese markets are set to reopen next week, keeping liquidity limited in the interim.
The U.S. dollar index and dollar index futures posted modest gains in Asian trade, building on overnight advances. The greenback found support despite light U.S. trading volumes following a Monday market holiday. Investor focus has now shifted to a series of high-impact U.S. economic indicators scheduled for release this week, particularly the Federal Reserve’s January meeting minutes due Wednesday.
The Fed recently kept interest rates unchanged, highlighting persistent risks to inflation and the labor market. Since that decision, mixed signals from nonfarm payrolls and consumer inflation data have left markets uncertain about the future path of monetary policy. Upcoming reports on industrial production, trade data, and especially Friday’s Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index—widely regarded as the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge—are expected to shape expectations for long-term interest rates.
In currency markets, the Japanese yen strengthened slightly, with USD/JPY slipping 0.2% after recent volatility triggered by weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter GDP data. Concerns over Japan’s economic slowdown have increased speculation about potential stimulus measures, although reports suggest the Bank of Japan may raise interest rates as early as April.
The Australian dollar eased after Reserve Bank of Australia meeting minutes showed policymakers remain cautious following a recent rate hike, citing persistent inflation pressures. Meanwhile, the offshore Chinese yuan hovered near three-year lows, and the Indian rupee remained above the 90 level despite stronger domestic inflation data.
