Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
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 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
The Australian dollar edged higher after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) kept interest rates unchanged, reinforcing expectations that inflation pressures may persist. The currency rose 0.2% to $0.6639 after the central bank held rates at 3.6% for a third straight month. According to analysts, the RBA’s tone aligned with market expectations, signaling a slightly more hawkish stance. Bank of Singapore strategist Sim Moh Siong noted that the central bank “didn’t try to tamp down hawkish market expectations,” supporting the AUD’s upward momentum. Gains continued after RBA Governor Michele Bullock emphasized that further rate cuts were unnecessary at this time.
In Asia, the Japanese yen strengthened as markets reacted to a 7.5-magnitude earthquake that struck northeast Japan, prompting temporary evacuation orders and tsunami alerts. The yen rose 0.1% against the U.S. dollar to 155.82, as investors sought safe-haven assets amid rising risk aversion ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy meeting. Analysts said the quake revived concerns about potential supply-chain disruptions and industrial impacts, contributing to a broader risk-off sentiment.
Global markets are now focused on the Federal Reserve, widely expected to cut rates this week. Fed funds futures indicate an 89% chance of a 25-basis-point reduction. However, uncertainty remains about future policy direction, especially with Kevin Hassett emerging as a top candidate to replace Jerome Powell when his term ends in May. Bond markets reflected this caution, with the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield steady at 4.1702% after recent gains.
The euro traded slightly higher at $1.1645 following comments from an ECB official suggesting the next policy move could be a rate hike. The offshore Chinese yuan also firmed to 7.0684 per dollar, while the British pound gained to $1.3328 and the New Zealand dollar rose to $0.5786. In contrast, cryptocurrencies declined, with bitcoin falling 1.5% to $89,946.76 and ether dropping 1.6% to $3,097.81.
