Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
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 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Asian Markets Rise on Tech Gains
Most Asian stocks climbed on Wednesday, buoyed by the tech sector's strong performance. Regional markets followed a positive lead from Wall Street, where technology stocks spurred overnight gains.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.7%, while the TOPIX index gained 0.1%. In Australia, the ASX 200 edged up 0.2%, and Indian futures hinted at a positive open after Tuesday's market recovery.
Chinese Markets Plunge Amid Stimulus Disappointment
Chinese stocks experienced sharp declines. The Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite indexes dropped over 4% from recent highs. Investors were disheartened by the lack of specifics on new stimulus measures, which dampened optimism following Tuesday’s brief rally after the Golden Week holiday.
Beijing’s announcement of monetary stimulus in late September, including proposed rate cuts and increased liquidity support, did little to reassure markets. Investors were also frustrated by the absence of targeted fiscal policies.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Falls, Tech Limits Losses
The Hang Seng index fell by 0.5%, continuing a 10% decline from the previous session. However, losses were cushioned by the tech sector, which showed some resilience.
Focus Shifts to Global Inflation and the Federal Reserve
As U.S. futures traded flat in Asian markets, attention shifted to upcoming Federal Reserve announcements and inflation data. Earlier bets on a slower pace of U.S. rate cuts had weighed on markets at the start of the week, but investors remain cautious, awaiting further economic cues.
