Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Asian stocks climbed on Tuesday, with Hong Kong leading gains as optimism over China’s economic stimulus and growing confidence in AI innovation fueled a rally in major tech stocks.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index jumped nearly 2% to a three-year high, driven by a 10% surge in Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU) after launching two new AI models. Alibaba (NYSE:BABA) gained over 4% following reports that its 2025 performance metrics will focus on AI-driven growth. BYD Co (HK:1211) also hit a record high after unveiling fast-charging EV technology.
China’s broader markets advanced, with the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite adding 0.3% and 0.2%, respectively. Investors welcomed Beijing’s stimulus plans, boosting confidence in a 2025 economic recovery.
Japanese stocks outperformed, with the Nikkei 225 up 1.6% and the TOPIX rising 1.5%. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway increased its holdings in Japan’s five largest trading houses—Itochu Corp. (TYO:8001), Mitsui & Co. (TYO:8031), Mitsubishi Corp. (TYO:8058), Sumitomo Corp. (TYO:8053), and Marubeni Corp. (TYO:8002)—to nearly 10%, fueling strong gains.
Markets also focused on the Bank of Japan’s upcoming meeting, where the central bank is expected to hold rates but adopt a hawkish tone amid signs of economic resilience.
Elsewhere, Australia’s ASX 200 rose 0.2%, South Korea’s KOSPI gained 0.3%, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index surged 0.9%. India’s Nifty 50 futures pointed to a positive open, tracking regional momentum.
Despite strong stock market gains, U.S. stock index futures dipped in Asian trading as investors remained cautious over trade tariffs, a potential recession, and an upcoming Federal Reserve meeting. Meanwhile, heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East dampened risk appetite.
