Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Asian stock markets and U.S. futures rose on Friday amid renewed optimism over potential U.S.-China trade talks, offsetting investor concerns following weak earnings from Apple and Amazon. China’s commerce ministry said Washington had shown interest in tariff negotiations, and Beijing was open to talks—provided the U.S. “shows sincerity.”
The news helped U.S. stock futures rebound, with S&P 500 futures up 0.6% and Nasdaq futures rising 0.3%. Japan’s Nikkei gained 1% on yen weakness, while Taiwan’s market surged 2%. MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan climbed 0.4%.
Markets were rattled earlier in the week as Apple trimmed its share buybacks and warned tariffs could cost $900 million this quarter. Amazon also missed expectations. However, upbeat earnings from Microsoft and Meta offered some relief, signaling parts of the tech sector may weather trade headwinds.
Global sentiment has been volatile due to President Donald Trump’s unpredictable tariff measures. Recent data showed the U.S. economy shrank for the first time in three years, while Chinese factory activity posted its sharpest contraction in over a year.
Economists warn that rising consumer prices from tariffs could trigger a recession if spending slows. Commonwealth Bank’s Joseph Capurso noted a downturn is not the base case but remains a risk.
Currency markets saw the yen weaken to 145.62 per dollar after the Bank of Japan held rates steady and trimmed its growth outlook. The U.S. dollar index hit 100.14, its strongest level since February, ahead of April’s nonfarm payroll report, which is expected to show 130,000 new jobs.
Gold dipped to $3,234.9 per ounce on weaker safe-haven demand, while oil rose after Trump threatened secondary sanctions on Iran. Brent gained 0.56%, and WTI crude climbed 0.6%.
