Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
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 
Asian stock markets mostly advanced on Wednesday, extending recent gains amid easing concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming trade tariffs. The region tracked Wall Street's modest tech-driven rally, although caution lingered due to weak U.S. consumer confidence and uncertainty over tariff impacts.
Australia’s ASX 200 led regional gains, rising 0.7% after February inflation came in below expectations. The softer CPI reading, alongside recent weak labor data, strengthened bets on further rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia, which meets next week. Although analysts expect the central bank to hold rates steady, many anticipate at least two more cuts this year.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index climbed 0.6%, rebounding from Tuesday’s losses as investors bought into tech stocks following U.S. gains. However, mainland Chinese indexes slipped slightly due to concerns over potential new U.S. trade actions and uncertainty around China’s AI policies and economic stimulus plans.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 and TOPIX added 0.3% and 0.2% respectively but pared early gains after Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda reiterated the need for further rate hikes if economic conditions hold steady. While Japan’s producer inflation cooled slightly, it remained sticky at 3%.
Elsewhere, South Korea’s KOSPI rose 0.6% on strong chip stock performance, mirroring gains in U.S. semiconductor shares. Singapore’s Straits Times index edged up 0.3%, holding near record highs, while India’s Nifty 50 futures hinted at a positive open as its recent rebound tapered off.
U.S. futures rose slightly after Trump suggested he may take a softer approach to tariffs in an interview, offering some reassurance to global investors. Still, markets remained cautious amid a lack of clarity on the final scope of the trade measures.
