Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Australia’s Corporate Regulator Urges Pension Funds to Boost Technology Investment as Industry Grows 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
India Services Sector Rebounds in January as New Business Gains Momentum: HSBC PMI Shows Growth 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
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 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Asian stocks edged higher on Thursday, lifted by renewed hopes for progress in U.S.-China trade relations and gains in tech shares. Investor sentiment improved after U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at a possible trade deal announcement, fueling optimism ahead of talks between Washington and Beijing in Switzerland. However, Trump reaffirmed that his 145% tariffs on Chinese goods would remain in place for now, dampening expectations for a breakthrough.
China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 rose 0.1% and 0.4%, respectively, as confirmation of the upcoming talks lent mild support. Beijing stated the meeting was initiated by the U.S., but insisted on tariff reductions before engaging in serious negotiations.
Regional tech stocks led gains following reports that the U.S. may ease Biden-era export restrictions on advanced AI chips. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.9%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.4%, and South Korea’s KOSPI added 0.3%. Shares of AI chip suppliers like Taiwan’s TSMC and South Korea’s SK Hynix climbed up to 1.5%, while Japan’s Advantest surged 2.8%. Chinese tech giants Alibaba and Tencent also advanced, driven by expectations of easier access to U.S. chips.
In broader markets, Australia’s ASX 200 added 0.2%, though banking stocks dragged after ANZ Group posted lackluster earnings and Westpac traded ex-dividend. India’s Nifty 50 futures rose 0.5%, signaling resilience despite escalating military tensions with Pakistan, which retaliated against Indian airstrikes in Kashmir. The Nifty gained 0.1% on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s Straits Times Index dipped 0.2%, and Japan’s TOPIX slipped by the same margin. Despite global economic uncertainties flagged by the Federal Reserve, regional markets largely tracked Wall Street’s tech-driven rebound.
