South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Most Asian currencies edged higher on Tuesday, buoyed by optimism surrounding improving U.S.-China trade relations and expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut later this week. The U.S. dollar weakened slightly as traders awaited the Fed’s two-day meeting, where policymakers are widely expected to reduce interest rates by at least 25 basis points amid signs of cooling inflation and a softer labor market.
The Japanese yen led regional gains, recovering from recent losses as investors focused on a meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as the Bank of Japan’s upcoming policy announcement. The yen’s USD/JPY pair slipped 0.3%, reflecting renewed demand for the safe-haven currency.
In South Korea, the won lagged behind its peers even as third-quarter GDP exceeded expectations, supported by stronger exports following an earlier trade deal with Washington. The USD/KRW pair rose 0.4%. Across the region, currencies traded within a narrow range, maintaining momentum from Monday’s gains after positive signals in U.S.-China trade negotiations lifted market sentiment.
The Chinese yuan also firmed, with the USD/CNY pair easing 0.1%—hovering near its strongest level since November 2024. The yuan’s resilience has been underpinned by firm midpoint fixes from the People’s Bank of China, as Beijing aims to enhance the competitiveness of its exports. Traders remained focused on the anticipated meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, expected to build on the recently agreed trade framework.
Elsewhere, the Australian dollar rose 0.1%, while the Singapore and Taiwan dollars edged slightly lower. The Indian rupee weakened modestly after crossing the 88-per-dollar mark, with markets monitoring trade discussions between Washington and New Delhi amid ongoing tariff pressures.
Overall, sentiment remained cautious but optimistic as investors awaited both the Trump-Xi summit and the Fed’s policy direction.
