Russian Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Gold Price Rises as Investors Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks and Fed Policy Outlook 
France Faces Long Road to Economic Rebalancing as Weak Demand and High Rates Weigh, Says Citi 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Alphabet Slumps, Middle East Developments and Fed Outlook Weigh on Markets 
US Dollar Hits One-Year High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Overshadows Middle East Developments 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
Gold Prices Mixed as Stronger Dollar Offsets Safe-Haven Demand Amid U.S.-Iran Peace Talks 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Japan Keeps Markets Guessing as Yen Nears 40-Year Low, Raising Intervention Risks 
100+ Global Companies Push Governments to Prioritize Electrification for Economic Growth 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Japan, U.S. Discuss Yen Weakness as Currency Intervention Concerns Grow 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Asian stocks traded in a tight range Wednesday as China’s markets pulled back after a stimulus-driven rally, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 and TOPIX advanced 0.7% and 0.8%, respectively, ahead of the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) rate decision. The BOJ is expected to hold rates steady after its January hike but may adopt a hawkish stance amid persistent inflation and wage growth expectations, with markets pricing in another hike by May.
Despite a weak Wall Street lead, Asian markets found support from continued optimism over China’s economic stimulus and AI sector growth. However, China's Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 indexes dipped 0.3%, along with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng, which recently hit a three-year high. Tech giant Xiaomi surged nearly 2% on strong earnings and rising electric vehicle sales targets.
Elsewhere, South Korea’s KOSPI gained 0.7%, shrugging off political uncertainty ahead of a ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment. SK Hynix, a key supplier for NVIDIA, climbed 1% after shipping advanced memory chip samples. Singapore’s Straits Times index rose 0.4%, while Australia’s ASX 200 edged lower. Indian Nifty 50 futures pointed to a positive open, rebounding from recent losses.
Investors remained cautious over potential U.S. trade tariffs and ongoing Russia-Ukraine peace talks, while U.S. stock futures inched higher ahead of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision, where no change is expected.
Asian markets continue to navigate global economic uncertainty, with China’s stimulus efforts and Japan’s monetary policy playing key roles in shaping regional sentiment.
