RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
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 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Asian Markets Decline as U.S. Rate Worries Weigh on Investors
On Tuesday, most Asian markets fell, tracking overnight losses in Wall Street. A strong U.S. labor market increased concerns that the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates elevated for a longer period, unsettling global markets.
China's Markets Rally on Stimulus Optimism
Chinese markets, however, outperformed the region, rising sharply as trading resumed after the Golden Week holiday. The Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 indexes rose by nearly 2-3% in early trading. Investors were optimistic after Beijing introduced several stimulus measures to boost economic growth, including rate cuts, lower reserve requirements for banks, and property market reforms. Chinese officials are set to provide further details on these policies soon, heightening anticipation for more economic support.
Tech Stocks Lead Losses Across Asia
Technology stocks saw the most significant losses in Asia, following declines in major U.S. tech companies. South Korea’s KOSPI dipped 0.7%, dragged down by a 1.5% decline in Samsung Electronics, which projected weaker-than-expected Q3 earnings. Similarly, Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 1.2%, with tech giants under pressure.
Hong Kong Sees Sharp Drop Amid Profit-Taking
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index tumbled nearly 4%, reversing earlier gains driven by optimism over Chinese stimulus. Profit-taking by investors following the rally contributed to the steep drop.
Australia Sees Limited Losses
Australia’s ASX 200 index experienced limited declines, buoyed by positive consumer sentiment data and its close trade ties with China. The country's exposure to the Chinese economy cushioned the impact of broader market losses.
Investors across the region remain cautious as they await key economic data and the Fed’s rate decisions, particularly concerning inflation and the global tech sector.
