Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Asian markets tumbled on Wednesday, extending Wall Street’s overnight losses as investors grew increasingly cautious about overstretched stock valuations. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dropped 0.8%, led by a steep 4.1% decline in South Korean equities. U.S. e-mini futures also slipped 0.4% following a 1.2% fall in the S&P 500.
Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone Group in Melbourne, described the market mood as “a sea of red across broad markets,” noting the absence of strong buying catalysts until Nvidia’s earnings report on November 19.
The recent retreat from record highs reflects growing fears that global equity markets may have risen too far, too fast. Caution has intensified after top Wall Street executives, including the CEOs of Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, questioned whether the rally’s lofty valuations are sustainable. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon previously warned of the potential for a significant market correction within the next two years.
Investor enthusiasm around generative AI has fueled massive gains this year, drawing comparisons to the late-1990s dot-com bubble. Japan’s Nikkei index plunged 2.5%, with tech giant SoftBank Group tumbling 10% amid the broader selloff.
In currency markets, the U.S. dollar fell 0.2% against the yen to 153.41 following the release of minutes from the Bank of Japan’s September policy meeting. The dollar index briefly touched a five-month high of 100.25. Benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yields edged lower to 4.0697%, while the euro traded steady at $1.1484 after hitting a three-month low.
In commodities, gold inched up 0.1% to $3,936.48 per ounce after three sessions of losses, and Brent crude remained stable at $64.44 per barrel. Bitcoin briefly dipped below $100,000 before rebounding to $100,499.70.
