RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
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 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Asian stock markets traded mixed on Friday as regional holidays kept volumes muted, with Japanese equities rallying near record highs while Hong Kong markets slipped on sharp electric vehicle losses. Investor sentiment was shaped by developments in technology, central bank commentary, and political shifts in Japan.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.6%, approaching all-time highs, while the TOPIX gained 1.3%. The surge was fueled by strong gains in technology shares, led by Hitachi Ltd., which soared 9.5% after unveiling a partnership with OpenAI to collaborate on AI-powered energy and storage solutions. The announcement sparked optimism over accelerated artificial intelligence development in Japan, boosting related stocks such as Renesas Electronics (+8%), Advantest (+3.4%), Tokyo Electron (+2.3%), and SoftBank Group (+3.6%).
Further support for Japanese markets came from Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, who flagged economic uncertainties tied to U.S. tariffs and overseas conditions. While Ueda reiterated the potential for future rate hikes if inflation strengthens, his cautious tone suggested the BOJ may not rush tightening. Investors are also watching the upcoming Liberal Democratic Party leadership vote, which will determine the next Prime Minister following Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation. Candidates Sanae Takaichi, Shinjiro Koizumi, and Yoshimasa Hayashi are viewed as leading contenders, with markets anticipating a shift toward less restrictive fiscal policies.
In contrast, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 0.7% as electric vehicle makers slumped in tandem with Tesla’s 5% overnight drop. BYD slid 4.7%, Li Auto lost 4.2%, and Geely shed 2.4%. Despite Tesla reporting record Q3 deliveries, analysts cited concerns over expiring U.S. EV subsidies and fierce competition in China. Broader Hong Kong tech shares also retreated after earlier gains, though the index still held a 3.7% weekly rise.
Elsewhere, Singapore’s Straits Times rose 0.2%, Australia’s ASX 200 gained 0.4%, while India’s Nifty 50 slipped 0.2% under pressure from U.S. trade tariffs. With China and South Korea closed for holidays, regional trading remained subdued. Meanwhile, Wall Street’s S&P 500 hit another record high, and futures in Asian trade edged up 0.1%, though the U.S. government shutdown cast uncertainty over the release of key nonfarm payrolls data.
