Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
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 
Asian shares surged on Friday, buoyed by upbeat U.S. earnings, easing trade tensions between Washington and Beijing, and renewed optimism for global growth. Japan’s Nikkei led regional gains, jumping 1.2%, while MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan climbed 0.5%. Investor sentiment strengthened after the White House confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping next week during his Asia tour, raising hopes of progress in trade talks ahead of a looming tariff deadline.
Intel’s quarterly results exceeded market expectations, further boosting confidence in the U.S. corporate earnings outlook. Following the announcement, Intel shares surged in after-hours trading, adding momentum to Wall Street futures, with the S&P 500 e-minis up 0.12%.
Currency markets reflected modest movements, with the U.S. dollar index gaining 0.1% to 99.00, while the euro slipped to $1.161 and the yen weakened to 152.85 per dollar. Investors now await key U.S. consumer price data due Friday, which could influence the Federal Reserve’s next policy decision. Despite the ongoing government shutdown—now in its 23rd day—the Bureau of Labor Statistics confirmed it would release the CPI report to assist in cost-of-living adjustments.
In Asia, Japan’s core consumer inflation rose 2.9% in September, reinforcing expectations that the Bank of Japan may consider tightening policy soon. Newly appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is also expected to unveil a stimulus plan to bolster the economy.
Oil prices eased after strong weekly gains, with U.S. crude down 0.7% to $61.38 a barrel and Brent at $65.55, following fresh U.S. sanctions on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil. Meanwhile, bitcoin gained 0.8% to $110,512, and gold edged up 0.3% to $4,138 per ounce, despite heading for its weakest week since May.
