Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Asian stocks bounced back at the start of the month, tracking Wall Street’s strong finish last week. Investors remained cautious ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming trade tariff decision, with uncertainty over potential tariff rates hinting at softer measures.
Major U.S. stock indexes closed higher Friday after PCE inflation data met expectations. Meanwhile, Asian stocks, which suffered steep losses in the previous session, saw strong gains Monday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 1.4%, while the TOPIX rose 1.2%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng jumped 1.8%, Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite gained 2.2%, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.6%. South Korea’s markets were closed for a holiday.
China’s Shanghai Composite added 0.7%, with the CSI 300 rising 0.8%, supported by better-than-expected manufacturing PMI data. The Caixin manufacturing PMI hit a three-month high, signaling resilience in China’s economy amid past stimulus efforts.
Trump’s tariff decision remains a key market focus. While the U.S. previously imposed 10% additional tariffs on China, Trump is set to finalize tariff rates on Tuesday, leaving room for potential adjustments. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick hinted at a possible moderation in levies, easing investor concerns.
China’s highly anticipated “Two Sessions” meetings begin this week, with investors watching for economic policy signals. The National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) are expected to outline strategies to stabilize China’s economy amid slowing growth, weak consumer confidence, and a struggling property sector. Analysts predict China will maintain its 5.0% GDP target while detailing fiscal and monetary policies to support economic recovery.
Markets remain on edge as investors assess trade developments and China’s next policy moves.
