Markets React as Tensions Rise Between White House and Federal Reserve Over Interest Rate Pressure 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
New York Fed President John Williams Signals Rate Hold as Economy Seen Strong in 2026 
Asian Stocks Waver as Trump Signals Fed Pick, Shutdown Deal and Tech Earnings Stir Markets 
Philippine Economy Slows in Late 2025, Raising Expectations of Further Rate Cuts 
Thailand Economy Faces Competitiveness Challenges as Strong Baht and U.S. Tariffs Pressure Exports 
India Budget 2026: Modi Government Eyes Reforms Amid Global Uncertainty and Fiscal Pressures 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Retreats After Fed Decision 
Japan Declines Comment on BOJ’s Absence From Global Support Statement for Fed Chair Powell. Source: Asturio Cantabrio, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
RBA Expected to Raise Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points in February, ANZ Forecast Says 
Federal Reserve Faces Subpoena Delay Amid Investigation Into Chair Jerome Powell 
Canada’s main stock index opened the week trading mostly flat, stabilizing after Friday’s pullback as investors shift focus to major central bank decisions. The S&P/TSX Composite Index slipped 0.5% in the previous session, losing 166 points to close at 31,311.41, with decliners narrowly outpacing gainers. Despite the dip, the index recently touched record highs, supported by strong quarterly results from Canada’s major banks.
Market sentiment is being shaped largely by expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will cut interest rates again this Wednesday. Anticipation strengthened after the delayed September core PCE index—widely viewed as the Fed’s preferred inflation measure—showed softer-than-expected price growth. Coupled with weakening labor market signals and cooling consumer spending, investors are increasingly confident the Fed will move ahead with additional policy easing to support the U.S. economy.
The Bank of Canada will also make its rate announcement on Wednesday, though analysts broadly expect policymakers to hold the benchmark rate at 2.25%. With inflation now firmly within the target range and the Canadian economy showing steady growth, economists project that interest rates could remain unchanged until at least 2027, reducing the likelihood of near-term cuts.
Gold prices were mostly stable, supported by a weaker U.S. dollar and rising expectations of a Fed rate cut. Spot gold inched up 0.4% to $4,212.67 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures dipped slightly to $4,242.15. Investor caution kept gains modest despite growing conviction that monetary policy will loosen.
Oil prices retreated after hitting two-week highs, as traders locked in profits ahead of the Fed decision. Brent crude fell 1.1% to $63.08 a barrel, while WTI slipped to $59.43. Broader energy market sentiment remains sensitive to geopolitical developments, including slow progress in Ukraine peace efforts and ongoing G7–EU discussions about replacing the Russian oil price cap with a stricter maritime services ban.
