Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
US-India Trade Bombshell: Tariffs Slashed to 18% — Rupee Soars, Sensex Explodes 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Amazon.com Inc. won a partial dismissal of a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleging that it maintained illegal monopolies in online marketplaces. The decision by a federal court in Seattle on Monday was issued under seal, leaving specific details unclear. However, some claims against Amazon will proceed to trial.
The FTC accuses Amazon of employing anti-competitive tactics to dominate the online superstore and marketplace sectors. Amazon asked for a dismissal of the case in December, arguing that the FTC had not shown evidence of consumer harm.
In its original complaint last year, the FTC alleged that Amazon used an algorithm that increased prices paid by U.S. households by more than $1 billion. Amazon countered by stating in court documents that it had stopped using the algorithm in 2019.
Judge's Decision and Trial Proceedings
U.S. District Judge John Chun's sealed ruling partially granted Amazon’s motion to dismiss. The FTC will be allowed to continue pursuing any claims that were not permanently dismissed. Additionally, Judge Chun ruled that the case would be split into two parts, denying Amazon’s bid to consolidate the FTC’s evidence and proposed remedies into a single trial.
Neither the FTC nor Amazon immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the ruling.
FTC’s Allegations and Amazon’s Defense
The FTC claims that Amazon hampers competition by pushing sellers to use its advertising and fulfillment services. Amazon argues that its policies, including price-matching and Prime shipping, benefit consumers and are part of efforts to compete with thousands of online and brick-and-mortar retailers.
Broader Antitrust Context
The case is one of several significant lawsuits in which the FTC and the Department of Justice are taking on Big Tech. Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook) and Apple face separate lawsuits, while Google is defending against two lawsuits, including one over alleged anti-competitive behavior in the search engine market.
Impact on FTC Chair Lina Khan
The Amazon lawsuit is particularly significant for FTC Chair Lina Khan, who has been a vocal critic of the company's power. In a 2017 academic article, Khan argued that Amazon's structure and business practices pose anti-competitive concerns that have escaped antitrust scrutiny.
