Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
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 
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.
