Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Asian stocks climbed sharply on Monday, led by a 2.7% surge in Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index, driven by tech gains after the U.S. announced temporary exemptions on electronics from steep China tariffs. The rebound followed a strong Wall Street session on Friday, supported by Federal Reserve economic assurances and robust U.S. bank earnings.
S&P 500 Futures rose nearly 1% in Asian trading, with major tech firms like Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL), which rely on Chinese manufacturing, expected to benefit. The tariff relief sparked rallies in tech-heavy Asian markets, with South Korea’s KOSPI up 1%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 gaining 1.5%, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index jumping 1.8%—notably due to its heavy electronics export exposure.
Hong Kong-listed tech giants with U.S. export ties saw sharp gains. Lenovo Group (HK:0992) led with a 5.4% rise, while Alibaba (HK:9988), Baidu (HK:9888), and Haier Smart Home (HK:6690) advanced between 4% and 5.5%. However, U.S. President Donald Trump warned the tariff reprieve was temporary, with plans to introduce separate duties on electronics and launch a national security probe into the semiconductor sector. Imports still face a 20% tariff imposed in March.
Mainland Chinese stocks were more subdued, with the Shanghai Composite up 0.8% and the CSI 300 rising 0.5%, as Beijing contends with escalating trade tensions. China recently retaliated with 125% tariffs on U.S. goods and is expected to unveil more stimulus to cushion its economy. Upcoming Chinese GDP data and other key Asian economic indicators remain in focus.
Australia’s ASX 200 added 1.3%, while Japan’s TOPIX also climbed 1.5%. Indian markets were closed for a public holiday. Singapore’s MAS, citing weaker-than-expected growth, eased monetary policy and cut its 2025 inflation outlook.
