Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip After CPI-Fueled Rally as Markets Weigh Economic Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
BOJ Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Japan Signals Shift Toward Monetary Normalization 
Asian Markets Rebound as Tech Rally Lifts Wall Street, Investors Brace for BOJ Rate Hike 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
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.
