Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Asian currencies edged lower on Wednesday as the U.S. dollar strengthened following better-than-expected consumer sentiment data. The U.S. Dollar Index rose 0.3% during Asian trading, supported by a positive economic outlook, while Dollar Index Futures mirrored the gain.
The Japanese yen weakened further, with USD/JPY up 0.2% after a near 1% rise on Tuesday. Market attention turned to Japan’s 40-year bond auction, as yields on 20-, 30-, and 40-year government bonds recently surged to record highs. A Reuters report indicated that Japan’s Ministry of Finance may reduce super-long bond issuance due to waning demand from institutional investors like life insurers.
China’s yuan also slipped slightly, with both USD/CNY and USD/CNH pairs up 0.1%. The Australian dollar remained mostly flat after erasing early losses. April’s consumer price index came in higher than expected, challenging market assumptions of further interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia.
Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand cut rates by 25 basis points, aligning with expectations amid weak domestic growth and global trade pressures. The NZD/USD pair responded positively, rising 0.4%.
In other currency moves, the South Korean won remained stable against the dollar, while the Singapore dollar appreciated 0.1%. The Indian rupee weakened, with USD/INR advancing 0.3%.
Investors are closely monitoring macroeconomic data and central bank actions across the Asia-Pacific region as global monetary dynamics shift. The upcoming bond auction in Japan and inflation trends in Australia are key focus areas influencing regional currency performance and rate outlooks.
