Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Asian stock markets advanced on Friday, mirroring record highs on Wall Street, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged to a fresh peak ahead of the Bank of Japan’s expected rate hold.
Overnight, U.S. stocks closed at record levels, led by Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), which jumped over 20% after Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) unveiled a $5 billion investment and announced plans to collaborate on next-generation processors. Futures tied to major U.S. indexes traded largely flat as of 03:04 GMT.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 1% to a record 45,852.75, marking its fourth straight weekly gain. The broader TOPIX index rose 0.8% to 3,187.98, also setting a new high. The BOJ is widely expected to keep rates steady at 0.5%, reflecting a cautious stance amid political and global economic uncertainty. Data showed Japan’s core consumer inflation eased to 2.7% in August from 3.1% in July, though it remained above the BOJ’s 2% target for the 30th consecutive month.
In China, chip stocks extended their rally after reports that regulators ordered tech firms to halt purchases of Nvidia’s AI chips. Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (HK:0981) and Hua Hong Semiconductor (HK:1347) were among top gainers. The Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 rose 0.3%, while the Shanghai Composite edged lower. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.2%.
Markets also drew support from the U.S. Federal Reserve’s first rate cut since December, trimming rates by 25 basis points to 4.00%–4.25%. The Fed signaled two more cuts this year and another in 2026, with Chair Jerome Powell emphasizing data-driven decisions.
Elsewhere, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.7%, South Korea’s KOSPI slipped 0.5% after hitting record highs, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index remained steady. Futures for India’s Nifty 50 traded unchanged.
