Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Asian stocks advanced on Wednesday, lifted by Wall Street’s record highs and optimism around potential policy shifts in Japan after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation. Investors also weighed fresh inflation data from China, which highlighted persistent deflationary pressures in the world’s second-largest economy.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 0.5%, hovering near a record 44,185.7 points hit on Tuesday, while the broader TOPIX rose 0.4%. Ishiba’s resignation following heavy election losses has fueled speculation that his successor could adopt more expansionary fiscal and monetary policies. Sentiment was further boosted by confirmation of a U.S.-Japan trade deal set to reduce tariffs on auto exports by mid-September.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index surged 1.2% to a four-year high, supported by a 2% jump in the Hang Seng TECH index, tracking strength in the Nasdaq’s latest record close. South Korea’s KOSPI climbed 1.5%, led by strong gains in chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which rose 1.5% and 5% respectively. Singapore’s Straits Times Index also gained over 1%.
However, China’s economic outlook weighed on mainland stocks. Data showed consumer prices fell more than expected in August, while producer prices dropped for the 35th straight month, reflecting deep-rooted deflationary pressures despite government stimulus. The Shanghai Composite slipped 0.1%, and the CSI 300 fell 0.2%.
Elsewhere in the region, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged 0.2% higher, while India’s Nifty 50 futures rose 0.4%, signaling modest gains at the open.
Overall, Asian markets mirrored Wall Street’s bullish tone, with investors eyeing a possible Federal Reserve rate cut next week as a key driver for global equities.
