South Korea Inflation Hits Five-Month Low as CPI Reaches Central Bank Target 
Japan Finance Minister Defends PM Takaichi’s Remarks on Weak Yen Benefits 
Japan Election Poll Signals Landslide Win for Sanae Takaichi, Raising Fiscal Policy Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Investors Eye Big Tech Earnings and AI Momentum 
Dollar Holds Firm as Strong U.S. Data, Fed Expectations and Global Central Bank Moves Shape Markets 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
Oil Prices Steady as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength Caps Gains 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
S&P 500 Rises as AI Stocks and Small Caps Rally on Strong Earnings Outlook 
Gold and Asian Stocks Rebound as Market Volatility Eases and Global Sentiment Improves 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
The euro hovered near a one‑month low on Wednesday, recovering slightly after sharp declines earlier this week as investors weighed the impact of the new U.S.–EU trade pact and awaited key policy meetings from the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan (BOJ).
The euro rose 0.12% to $1.1558 after touching $1.15185 on Tuesday, its weakest level in a month. Despite gaining 11.7% year‑to‑date, the currency is heading for its first monthly loss in 2025. The dollar index stood at 98.815, close to a one‑month high, supported by investor caution ahead of central bank updates.
The U.S. dollar has regained strength amid a lopsided trade framework between Washington and Brussels, with analysts noting the agreement’s vague terms and limited enforcement. Meanwhile, U.S.–China trade negotiations in Stockholm concluded with a commitment to extend their 90‑day tariff truce, though no breakthroughs were announced.
Market attention is now on the Federal Reserve’s policy decision later Wednesday. The Fed is widely expected to hold interest rates steady, but investors will closely analyze Chair Jerome Powell’s comments for signals on future moves. Speculation is growing that internal dissent from policymakers like Christopher Waller or Michelle Bowman could highlight political pressure from President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called for rate cuts.
The BOJ is also set to keep rates unchanged, with Governor Kazuo Ueda’s remarks in focus as traders assess whether the recent U.S.–Japan trade deal could pave the way for a rate hike later this year.
Other major currencies were steady, with sterling at $1.3358, the Australian dollar at $0.6517, the offshore yuan at 7.178 per dollar, and the yen firming slightly to 148.20 per dollar.
Global currency markets remain sensitive to trade developments and central bank guidance amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
