Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
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 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
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.
