Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
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 
Asian stock markets extended their losses for a third consecutive session on Wednesday as rising geopolitical tensions and renewed fears of a “Sell America” trade weighed heavily on investor sentiment. Markets were unsettled by escalating rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the potential acquisition of Greenland, alongside renewed tariff threats toward Europe, ahead of his closely watched speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The risk-off mood followed a sharp selloff on Wall Street overnight, where the S&P 500 dropped more than 2% and the Nasdaq Composite fell 2.4%, marking their steepest daily declines in three months. Concerns that foreign investors may accelerate selling of U.S. assets triggered a broad retreat from equities, bonds, and the dollar, which recorded its biggest single-day fall in over a month.
In Asia, MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan slipped 0.3%, while Japan’s Nikkei plunged 1.2%, extending its losing streak to five days. European markets also pointed lower, with EURO STOXX 50 and DAX futures down 0.4%. U.S. stock futures showed a modest rebound, but overall sentiment remained fragile.
The global bond rout showed signs of stabilizing after intense selling driven by surging Japanese government bond yields and worries over U.S. fiscal sustainability. Japan’s 40-year government bond yield eased to 4.145% after hitting a record high, while U.S. 10-year Treasury yields steadied near five-month highs. Notably, Denmark’s AkademikerPension announced plans to divest $100 million in U.S. Treasuries, citing concerns over U.S. government finances.
Safe-haven demand surged as investors flocked to precious metals. Gold prices jumped to a record $4,806 an ounce, while silver hovered just below its all-time high. In currency markets, the dollar stabilized after a sharp drop, while the Swiss franc hit a record high against the yen.
Oil prices declined as expectations of rising U.S. crude inventories outweighed supply disruptions in Kazakhstan. Overall, markets remain highly sensitive to geopolitical developments, central bank signals, and Trump’s policy direction as global investors brace for continued volatility.
