South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
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.
