U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
Precious Metals Rally as Silver and Platinum Outperform on Rate Cut Bets 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
BOJ Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Japan Signals Shift Toward Monetary Normalization 
EU Delays Mercosur Free Trade Agreement Signing Amid Ukraine War Funding Talks 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Asian stock markets mostly climbed on Tuesday, buoyed by easing fears over U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming tariff measures. Wall Street’s strong performance on Monday helped lift investor sentiment across the region. However, Chinese stocks bucked the trend, weighed down by tech sector profit-taking.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.7%, supported by export-heavy firms amid a softer yen, while the broader TOPIX briefly touched a nine-month high. Despite weak PMI data, Japan’s economy is expected to remain resilient, backed by wage hikes and stronger consumer spending. The Bank of Japan’s January meeting minutes revealed discussions of further rate hikes after a recent 25-basis-point increase.
Australia’s ASX 200 gained 0.4%, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index jumped 0.9% to a record high. In contrast, South Korea’s KOSPI dipped 0.3% even as Hyundai Motor rallied on news of a $21 billion U.S. investment plan.
Futures for India’s Nifty 50 suggested a slightly positive open following Monday’s 1.5-month high, continuing a rebound from March lows.
Chinese markets lagged, with the Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 slipping 0.1% and 0.2%, respectively. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng tumbled 2%, dragged down by tech stocks after a sharp year-to-date rally. Xiaomi dropped 5% following a $5.5 billion share sale, despite strong momentum in its EV business. Alibaba fell 2.7% after Chairman Joseph Tsai warned of a potential AI data center bubble, amid intensifying competition between the U.S. and China.
While optimism remains for Asian equities, lingering caution over U.S. trade policy and rate outlooks continues to influence investor strategies across the region.
