South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
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 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Asian stock markets mostly declined on Monday as renewed trade tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump reignited global risk aversion. Investor sentiment weakened after Trump announced potential tariffs of up to 25% on several major European economies, tying the duties to demands that Greenland be sold to the United States. The comments sparked concerns over escalating trade tensions and broader geopolitical instability, pressuring equities across the region.
Japanese stocks led losses, with the Nikkei 225 falling around 1% and the TOPIX declining 0.5%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index slipped 0.8%, while Australia’s ASX 200 dropped 0.4%. Singapore’s Straits Times Index lost 0.5%, and futures for India’s Nifty 50 pointed to a weaker open, down about 0.4%. Asian markets largely mirrored declines in Wall Street futures, as S&P 500 futures fell as much as 1% during Asian trading hours, even as U.S. cash markets remained closed for a public holiday.
Chinese stocks were comparatively resilient after economic data showed better-than-expected fourth-quarter growth. China’s GDP expanded 4.5% year-on-year in the December quarter, meeting expectations and bringing full-year 2025 growth to 5%, in line with Beijing’s official target. Strength in exports and ongoing government stimulus helped support manufacturing activity, though fixed asset investment and retail sales data highlighted lingering weaknesses in domestic demand. As a result, the CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite traded largely flat.
South Korean stocks outperformed regional peers, with the KOSPI rising more than 1%, driven by gains in semiconductor shares. Samsung Electronics climbed nearly 2%, while SK Hynix edged higher after Micron Technology announced a $1.8 billion deal to acquire a semiconductor facility from Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. Powerchip shares surged 10% in Taipei, boosting sentiment across parts of the chip sector.
Trump’s tariff rhetoric added to already elevated global tensions, pushing investors toward safe-haven assets. Gold prices surged to record highs as market participants reduced exposure to risk assets amid fears of prolonged trade disputes and geopolitical conflict.
