Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
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 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Asian stocks extended their sharp declines on Friday as investors reacted to U.S. labor data that offered little clarity on the Federal Reserve’s next move on interest rates. Despite initially positive sentiment driven by Nvidia’s strong earnings, the rally quickly faded and risk-off sentiment returned across global markets.
Japan’s Nikkei index slid 2%, Australia’s resource-heavy shares dropped 1.4%, and South Korea’s market plunged nearly 4% as traders reassessed expectations for U.S. monetary policy. The renewed volatility followed a turbulent session on Wall Street, where concerns over stretched tech valuations resurfaced. The Nasdaq posted its widest intraday swing since April 9, a period marked by heightened uncertainty after President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs rattled investors.
U.S. payrolls data showed stronger-than-expected job creation in September, yet the uptick in the unemployment rate and downward revisions from previous months fueled uncertainty about the underlying health of the labor market. Traders slightly increased their bets on a December rate cut—now seen at a 40% probability—but the mixed data failed to offer the definitive signal markets were hoping for.
Analysts note that despite upbeat earnings and relatively solid job numbers, market momentum remains weak. Capital.com’s senior analyst Kyle Rodda said that even with positive catalysts, sentiment has not shifted enough to overcome prevailing bearishness.
Federal Reserve officials have also expressed growing anxiety over financial stability risks, including the potential for sharp drops in asset prices should policy easing resume too quickly. Comments from Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack and Fed Governor Lisa Cook highlighted concerns about the broader implications of cutting rates too soon.
In currency markets, the U.S. dollar strengthened against commodity-linked currencies and held firm near a 10-month peak against the yen. Japan’s 3% core inflation growth kept rate-hike expectations alive, though anticipated stimulus from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s new government—expected to exceed 20 trillion yen—has kept downward pressure on the yen.
Treasury yields eased as investors positioned for possible Fed action next month, while oil prices retreated and gold remained stable.
