Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
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 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
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.
