Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
Gold and Silver Prices Plunge as Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
India Budget 2026: Modi Government Eyes Reforms Amid Global Uncertainty and Fiscal Pressures 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
EU Recovery Fund Faces Bottlenecks Despite Driving Digital and Green Projects 
Japan Election Poll Signals Landslide Win for Sanae Takaichi, Raising Fiscal Policy Concerns 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
Asian equities retreated on Thursday following disappointing Chinese economic data and a sharp drop in copper prices, while investors assessed a new trade deal between South Korea and the U.S. The dollar hovered near a two‑month high after the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged and major U.S. tech firms posted strong earnings.
Nasdaq futures surged 1.2% and S&P 500 futures rose 0.8% after Microsoft and Meta reported stronger‑than‑expected revenue, driven by cloud computing and AI‑powered advertising. MSCI’s Asia‑Pacific index excluding Japan fell 0.7% but remained on track for a fourth straight monthly gain.
Chinese and Hong Kong stocks led losses as July PMI figures signaled slowing factory activity. Traders are now awaiting the Bank of Japan’s policy decision for clues on potential rate hikes. The Fed’s 9‑2 vote to hold rates steady marked the fifth consecutive meeting without a change, though Chair Jerome Powell’s comments dampened expectations for September cuts.
The dollar index stood at 98.81, close to Wednesday’s peak of 99.98, with a projected 3.1% monthly gain — its first rise in 2025. U.S. GDP beat forecasts in Q2 but showed underlying weakness amid trade policy uncertainty.
The Korean won firmed 0.3% after President Trump announced a 15% tariff on South Korean imports, paired with Seoul’s $350 billion U.S. investment pledge. Copper futures tumbled 19.4% after the U.S. confirmed a 50% tariff on pipes and wiring.
Oil prices extended gains for a fourth session, supported by supply concerns and ongoing geopolitical tensions. Brent crude traded at $73.48 a barrel, while WTI stood at $70.15.
Global markets remain volatile as investors navigate mixed economic signals, shifting trade policies, and central bank strategies.
