Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
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 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
European stock markets traded slightly higher on Friday as investors remained cautious ahead of the release of critical U.S. nonfarm payrolls data, a report expected to influence expectations for Federal Reserve monetary policy in 2026. In early trading, Germany’s DAX rose 0.1%, France’s CAC 40 climbed 0.5%, and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 advanced 0.3%, reflecting guarded optimism across regional equities.
Global attention was firmly on the upcoming U.S. jobs report, which economists believe will show a slowing but resilient labor market. Forecasts suggest the U.S. economy added around 57,000 jobs in December, down from 64,000 in November. The data is closely watched as it could shape the Federal Reserve’s interest rate outlook after the central bank cut rates at its last three meetings in 2025, prioritizing concerns over labor market weakness despite persistent inflation pressures. While the Fed is widely expected to hold rates steady later this month, uncertainty remains over the timing and scale of any future rate cuts.
In Europe, sentiment was supported by stronger-than-expected German industrial production, which rose 0.8% month-on-month in November, defying forecasts for a decline and signaling potential recovery in the eurozone’s largest economy. Investors are also awaiting eurozone retail sales data, expected to confirm ongoing pressure on consumer spending.
Political and legal developments added another layer of uncertainty, including a potential U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the legality of Trump-era global tariffs and renewed focus on Greenland’s strategic importance amid U.S. interest in critical minerals.
Corporate news was dominated by the mining sector after Glencore confirmed early-stage talks over a possible acquisition by Rio Tinto, a deal that could create the world’s largest mining company. Elsewhere, U.K. retailer J Sainsbury upgraded its cash flow outlook following strong Christmas trading.
Oil prices rose for a third consecutive week, supported by geopolitical tensions in Iran and Venezuela, with Brent crude and WTI both gaining around 0.8%, underscoring ongoing concerns over global energy supply.
