South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
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.
