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 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook 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.
