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 
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 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
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 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Asian stock markets opened higher on Monday as investors largely looked past recent U.S. military action in Venezuela and turned their attention to a busy week of global economic data releases. In the first full trading week of the year, market sentiment was supported by gains across regional equities, modest strength in U.S. futures, and a relatively stable outlook for oil prices.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose around 0.3%, reflecting cautious optimism among investors. At the same time, S&P 500 e-mini futures edged up 0.1%, suggesting a steady start for Wall Street. Market participants are closely assessing the potential implications of a dramatic weekend that saw the United States capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and place the country under temporary American control, as announced by President Donald Trump.
According to Neil Shearing, group chief economist at Capital Economics, the removal of Maduro is unlikely to have significant short-term economic consequences for the global economy. However, he noted that the political and geopolitical ramifications could be far-reaching, keeping investors alert to potential longer-term risks.
Oil prices were choppy as traders evaluated both the U.S. intervention in Venezuela and OPEC+’s decision to keep output unchanged. WTI crude futures fluctuated between gains and losses, last trading slightly higher at $57.36 per barrel. Analysts such as Marko Papic of BCA Research argued that a bearish outlook for oil prices is unlikely, citing Venezuela’s limited production capacity and the substantial investment required to restore output. He added that upside risks for oil prices could still emerge.
In equity markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 2.5% to a two-month high, while South Korea’s Kospi climbed 2% to reach a record level. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index extended its rally for a fifth consecutive session, and U.S. Treasury yields edged higher. Gold prices jumped 1%, underscoring continued demand for safe-haven assets, while Bitcoin and ether showed modest movement as crypto investors remained cautious.
Overall, global markets remain focused on economic data, geopolitical developments, and energy prices as the year begins.
