U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Asian markets saw mixed movement on Thursday as investor sentiment was rattled by renewed trade tensions and escalating geopolitical risks. U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to impose new trade tariffs on major economies within weeks, signaling a tough negotiation stance. While Trump hinted at a completed U.S.-China trade deal, lack of concrete details and ongoing tariffs dampened investor optimism.
Markets also tracked weakness from Wall Street, as reports of U.S. personnel evacuations from Iraq and failed nuclear talks with Iran spurred concerns. Israel’s potential military response to Iran further weighed on risk appetite. Rising oil prices added to the cautious tone, though commodity-linked indexes gained modestly.
In Asia, S&P 500 futures dropped 0.4% during regional hours. China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 edged lower, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.5%. Despite initial gains earlier in the week on news of a U.S.-China trade framework, Chinese equities faced pressure due to vague deal terms and continued tariffs. EV giants BYD and NIO both dropped over 2% amid local headwinds.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.8%, with the yen’s strength and tech losses dragging the index. Australia’s ASX 200 bucked the trend, rising 0.2% on gains in energy and gold stocks, supported by expectations of rate cuts. South Korea’s KOSPI gained 0.5% to a 3.5-year high, boosted by political stability and a bullish earnings outlook.
Singapore’s Straits Times index rose 0.3%, while India’s Nifty 50 futures edged up 0.2% following reports that Reliance Industries is in talks to invest in OpenAI. Overall, uncertainty over global trade policies and Middle East tensions kept investors cautious across Asian markets.
