Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Asian stock markets advanced on Friday as renewed optimism around artificial intelligence stocks lifted investor sentiment, while the U.S. dollar remained near a six-week high after strong American economic data reduced expectations for imminent interest rate cuts. The MSCI Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan rose 0.5%, hovering close to a record high reached in the previous session, supported by strong earnings from Taiwanese chip giant TSMC that revived confidence in the global AI boom.
The positive momentum followed a newly announced U.S.-Taiwan trade deal that lowers tariffs on several semiconductor exports and channels fresh investment into the U.S. technology sector, a move that could heighten geopolitical tensions with China. Technology and financial stocks also pushed Wall Street higher overnight, with Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures posting modest gains during Asian trading hours.
Market analysts noted that TSMC’s upbeat outlook helped reassure investors concerned about slowing capital expenditure and AI-related spending. While the results did not trigger a major rally, they provided stability to AI-linked equities that had underperformed in recent months. In contrast, Japan’s Nikkei index fell 0.42%, pressured by a modest recovery in the yen after it pulled back from an 18-month low.
In Europe, futures pointed lower, with EUROSTOXX 50 and FTSE futures edging down after European stocks closed at record highs on Thursday. Currency markets reflected continued dollar strength, as the greenback traded near 99.36 against a basket of currencies. The euro hovered near a six-week low, while sterling edged slightly lower.
Strong U.S. labor market data, including a drop in jobless claims, has led traders to scale back bets on Federal Reserve rate cuts. Markets now see a higher probability that rates will remain unchanged in April and June. Meanwhile, oil prices stabilized after sharp losses triggered by easing geopolitical fears surrounding Iran, while gold and silver retreated as safe-haven demand softened.
Overall, global markets remain focused on AI sector performance, central bank policy signals, and geopolitical developments shaping investor risk appetite.
