South Korea Industry Minister Heads to Washington Amid U.S. Tariff Hike Concerns 
Starmer’s China Visit Signals New Era in UK–China Economic Relations 
Oil Prices Surge Toward Biggest Monthly Gains in Years Amid Middle East Tensions 
MAS Holds Monetary Policy Steady as Strong Growth Raises Inflation Risks 
Bank of Canada Holds Interest Rate at 2.25% Amid Trade and Global Uncertainty 
Gold Prices Hit Record High Above $5,500 as Iran Strike Fears Fuel Safe-Haven Demand 
Gold Prices Pull Back After Record Highs as January Rally Remains Strong 
Wall Street Slips as Tech Stocks Slide on AI Spending Fears and Earnings Concerns 
Dollar Struggles as Policy Uncertainty Weighs on Markets Despite Official Support 
Copper Prices Hit Record Highs as Metals Rally Gains Momentum on Geopolitical Tensions 
Oil Prices Hit Four-Month High as Geopolitical Risks and Supply Disruptions Intensify 
Indonesian Stocks Plunge as MSCI Downgrade Risk Sparks Investor Exodus 
Asia Stocks Pause as Tech Earnings, Fed Signals, and Dollar Weakness Drive Markets 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Lower as Tech Earnings and Fed Decision Shape Market Sentiment 
U.S. and El Salvador Sign Landmark Critical Minerals Agreement to Boost Investment and Trade 
Asian stock markets were volatile in early Friday trading as investors reacted to fresh signals from U.S. President Donald Trump on government funding and monetary policy, alongside mixed corporate earnings from major U.S. technology companies. The uncertainty weighed on risk sentiment even as global equities headed toward a strong monthly performance.
MSCI’s broad Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan moved between gains and losses before slipping 0.2%, extending the previous session’s decline while still on track for its best month in over three years. U.S. equity futures pointed lower, with S&P 500 e-mini futures down 0.4% and Nasdaq e-mini futures falling 0.5%, reflecting ongoing concerns about technology valuations and artificial intelligence investments.
Market focus sharpened after Trump endorsed a bipartisan deal aimed at avoiding another U.S. government shutdown and confirmed he has decided on a nominee to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. These developments pushed the U.S. dollar higher, with the dollar index rising 0.3%, while the 10-year Treasury yield climbed to 4.263% as traders assessed the implications for interest rates. Fed funds futures currently imply an 86.6% probability that the Federal Reserve will keep rates unchanged at its March meeting.
On Wall Street, stocks fell on Thursday after disappointing results from Microsoft reignited doubts about the profitability of heavy AI spending. Microsoft shares plunged 10%, erasing more than $350 billion in market value, while Meta surged 10% as its AI-driven advertising outlook impressed investors. Apple also boosted sentiment by forecasting up to 16% revenue growth for the March quarter, helped by strong iPhone demand and a rebound in China.
In commodities, precious metals retreated after a volatile session, with gold down 0.7% and silver slightly lower as traders unwound extended positions. Oil prices eased, with WTI crude slipping below $65 amid geopolitical concerns following new U.S. measures targeting countries trading oil with Cuba. Cryptocurrencies also weakened, with Bitcoin and ether both posting losses as broader risk appetite softened.
