Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low; Gold Falls and Oil Mixed 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
German Auto Suppliers Turn Bearish as Investment and Jobs Shift Overseas 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Fed Decision and US-Iran Deal Details 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene as USD/JPY Nears 161 Amid Yen Weakness 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
Asian stock markets advanced on Tuesday, led by strong gains in technology shares as optimism around artificial intelligence continued to drive investor sentiment. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index was the standout performer, surging more than 3% to a fresh record high as markets reopened after a long holiday, while the broader TOPIX index also reached an all-time peak. The rally reflected a mix of catch-up buying and renewed confidence in Japan’s policy outlook.
Investor enthusiasm was further fueled by reports suggesting Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may call an early general election as soon as February. Such a move would likely strengthen her ruling coalition’s parliamentary majority, giving her greater flexibility to implement fiscal stimulus measures. Expectations of increased government spending helped offset concerns over ongoing diplomatic tensions between Japan and China, particularly following Takaichi’s past comments on Taiwan.
Across the region, Asian equities took positive cues from Wall Street, where the S&P 500 recently hit a record high on the back of strong technology sector performance. Although S&P 500 futures edged slightly lower ahead of key U.S. consumer price index inflation data, overall risk sentiment in Asia remained constructive.
Technology stocks were the main drivers of gains, as artificial intelligence-related optimism continued to attract capital. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index climbed to a two-month high, supported by renewed interest in Chinese and Hong Kong-listed tech companies. Recent high-profile listings by Chinese AI firms boosted confidence in the sector, with new entrants seeing strong debut performances. Shares of major technology players, including Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu, extended recent gains, reflecting sustained investor appetite for AI exposure.
Mainland Chinese markets also advanced modestly, while South Korea’s KOSPI and Australia’s ASX 200 posted solid gains. Singapore’s Straits Times index moved higher, supported by regional momentum. In contrast, India’s Nifty 50 futures edged slightly lower, even as cooler-than-expected December inflation data strengthened expectations of future interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of India.
Overall, Asian markets benefited from a combination of strong global tech trends, policy optimism in Japan, and improving sentiment toward artificial intelligence, reinforcing a broadly positive outlook for regional equities.
