South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Asian Stocks Surge, Dollar Hits 7-Week High
Asian stocks surged on Monday, with the dollar reaching a seven-week peak against the yen. The rally was sparked by robust U.S. labor data, easing recession fears and reducing expectations for rate cuts.
U.S. Treasury Yields & Job Growth
Short-term U.S. Treasury yields rose after U.S. non-farm payrolls data reported the highest job growth in six months. The strong labor market sent Dow futures slightly higher, pointing to continued gains.
Stock Market Highlights
- Japan’s Nikkei: Up 2%, supported by a weaker yen.
- Australia’s Benchmark: Rose 0.12%.
- South Korea’s Kospi: Increased by 0.29%.
- MSCI Asia-Pacific Index: Climbed 0.4%.
Crude Oil & Geopolitical Tensions
Oil prices dipped from recent highs, despite escalating tensions in the Middle East. Brent crude fell to $77.40 per barrel, and U.S. crude dropped to $73.85 per barrel.
Currency Market Movements
The U.S. dollar hit 149.10 yen, the highest since August, while the euro eased to $1.0971. Japan's top currency official pledged to monitor forex movements closely.
Federal Reserve & Interest Rates
Bets on a larger Federal Reserve rate cut in November faded, with traders now predicting a quarter-point reduction or no change, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
Treasury Yields & Gold Prices
The two-year U.S. Treasury yield reached its highest in over a month at 3.9488%. Gold edged slightly lower to $2,649.29 an ounce.
