South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
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 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Asian stock markets mostly advanced on Wednesday, driven by strong gains in technology and AI-related shares as investors positioned ahead of key U.S. megacap earnings and the Federal Reserve’s highly anticipated interest rate decision. Positive sentiment from Wall Street, where the S&P 500 touched fresh record highs and the Nasdaq extended recent gains, provided a supportive backdrop for regional equities.
Investor confidence was boosted by continued optimism around corporate earnings and sustained demand linked to artificial intelligence. U.S. stock index futures traded higher during Asian hours, with Nasdaq futures climbing around 0.6%, signaling expectations of further strength in technology stocks. Markets are closely watching earnings from Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Tesla later in the day, while Apple is scheduled to report results on Thursday. These reports are expected to offer important insights into AI-driven revenue growth, cloud demand, and capital expenditure trends.
In Asia, South Korea and Hong Kong led regional gains. South Korea’s KOSPI surged as much as 2%, supported by strong moves in heavyweight semiconductor stocks, with Samsung Electronics rising 1.5% and SK Hynix jumping about 5%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbed 2.4%, while the Hang Seng TECH Index added 1.5%, reflecting renewed interest in technology and internet-related shares. Mainland Chinese markets also edged higher, with the CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite Index both gaining around 0.5%.
Elsewhere, futures linked to India’s Nifty 50 rose approximately 0.3%, indicating a positive open. However, not all markets participated in the rally. Singapore’s Straits Times Index slipped 0.5%, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged down 0.2%. Japanese stocks underperformed, with the Nikkei 225 falling 0.6% and TOPIX declining 1%, pressured by a stronger yen near three-month highs. The firm yen has fueled concerns over export competitiveness and overseas profit translation, although losses were capped by gains in AI-linked stocks such as Renesas Electronics and SoftBank.
Market attention now turns to the Federal Reserve, which is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged. Traders will closely analyze the policy statement and Chair Jerome Powell’s comments for clues on potential rate cuts later this year, which could shape risk appetite, currency movements, and Asian stock market trends in the weeks ahead.
