Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Asian markets started the week strong, buoyed by a weaker dollar, China's ongoing recovery, and a shift from U.S.-centric trades. Japan's Q4 GDP data, expected to show 1.0% annualized growth, is a key focus, with business investment offsetting weak consumption.
The dollar hit a two-month low due to delays in U.S. tariff implementations, marking its longest losing streak since August. Emerging market currencies are rising against the greenback, except for the Indian rupee. The MSCI Asia ex-Japan index surged 8% over the past month, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng jumped 20%, and its tech index soared 30%.
China's tech giants Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent, and Xiaomi (BATX) have gained 22% since Trump's inauguration, outperforming America's 'Magnificent Seven,' which remained flat. Analysts highlight that BATX's $1 trillion market cap pales in comparison to the Mag Seven's $17 trillion, indicating potential growth if China continues excelling in AI.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co and Broadcom are reportedly exploring deals that could split Intel, further shaking up the global chip industry. Geopolitical tensions in the Russia-Ukraine war remain in focus as French President Macron hosts an emergency European summit, with peace talks seemingly limited to the U.S. and Russia. Prospects of peace are driving oil and the dollar lower while boosting European and Asian stocks.
Key upcoming data include Japan and Thailand's Q4 GDP figures, which could further influence market trends. Investors are keenly watching these developments as Asian markets continue their upward trajectory.
