Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
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 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Overview of Asia's Manufacturing Activity in October
Asia's manufacturing activity experienced stagnation in October, as a rebound in China failed to significantly uplift regional factories, according to private surveys. This presents a worrying trend for policymakers amid escalating U.S.-China trade tensions.
IMF Concerns Over Economic Risks
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has highlighted increasing risks to Asia's economic outlook, citing trade fragmentation, issues within China's property sector, and potential market turbulence.
Regional Factory Activity Trends
Factory activity shrank in Japan and South Korea, driven by weak domestic demand and slowing growth in key markets, including the U.S. and Europe. Japan's final au Jibun Bank manufacturing PMI dropped to 49.2 in October from 49.7 in September, marking the fastest contraction in three months. Similarly, South Korea's PMI remained at 48.3, signaling a second consecutive month of decline with output hitting a 16-month low.
China’s Manufacturing Rebound
In contrast, China's manufacturing activity rebounded to growth in October, buoyed by several stimulus measures from Beijing aimed at revitalizing the fragile economy. The Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing PMI rose to 50.3, surpassing analysts' expectations and indicating stabilization for the first time since April.
Challenges Ahead
Despite these positive indicators, Krishna Srinivasan, the director of the IMF's Asia and Pacific Department, cautioned that deflation risks in China are rising, necessitating further reforms in its property sector and a shift towards a consumption-led economic model.
