Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
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 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
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 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
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 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Global equity markets surged on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 and European shares closing at record highs amid strong U.S. earnings, trade tariff concerns, and increased European defense spending. The S&P 500 inched past its previous peak, while the Dow Jones rose 0.02% to 44,556.34, the S&P 500 gained 0.24% to 6,129.58, and the Nasdaq advanced 0.07% to 20,041.26.
European markets also rallied, with the STOXX 600 reaching an all-time high of 557.96, driven by banking and defense stocks. Investors reacted to potential economic stimulus following upcoming German elections and concerns over U.S. trade policies and inflation. Germany’s 10-year bond yield climbed to 2.51%, reflecting expectations of increased government spending.
China’s stock market benefited from optimism surrounding President Xi Jinping’s meeting with domestic business leaders. Meanwhile, European leaders committed to supporting Ukraine amid ongoing U.S.-Russia negotiations.
Inflation concerns remained high, with key U.S. measures exceeding the Fed’s target. Investors anticipate the release of the Fed’s January meeting minutes, following hawkish remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield rose to 4.554%.
The dollar strengthened against major currencies, gaining 0.35% against the yen and 0.28% against the Swiss franc. The dollar index climbed 0.28% to 107.02, while the euro fell to $1.0449.
In commodities, Brent crude oil increased 0.82% to $75.84 per barrel ahead of U.S.-Russia talks in Riyadh, while gold prices surged 1.23% to $2,933.37 an ounce.
Market analysts remain cautious about trade tariffs and persistent inflation, which could delay the Fed’s anticipated rate cuts.
