South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Most Asian stocks declined Wednesday as risk appetite waned following U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed tariff threats. Weak U.S. economic data also weighed on sentiment, while Hong Kong markets stood out with strong gains in Chinese tech stocks.
Wall Street’s losses extended for a fourth session as weak consumer confidence data heightened concerns over a slowing U.S. economy. Trump’s tariff threats on copper, along with his plans for 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico by early March, added to market jitters.
Despite this, U.S. stock futures edged higher in Asian trade, hinting at potential bargain buying ahead of Nvidia’s earnings release later in the day.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index surged over 2%, nearing a two-year high, as investors remained bullish on China’s artificial intelligence sector. Major tech players like Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu led the rally, fueled by optimism over AI-driven growth. Gains extended into broader Chinese markets, with the Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 seeing mild increases.
However, other Asian tech stocks struggled as investors turned cautious ahead of Nvidia’s earnings. Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 0.5%, while South Korea’s KOSPI dipped 0.1%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn), key Nvidia suppliers, also saw modest declines.
Broader Asian markets remained weak due to concerns over U.S. economic data and trade risks. Australia’s ASX 200 fell 0.3% after inflation data suggested limited scope for rate cuts. Japan’s TOPIX dropped 1.1%, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index remained flat.
Overall, uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policies and economic growth continued to pressure global markets, with investors closely watching Nvidia’s earnings for further direction.
