Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened 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 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
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 Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Global markets tumbled Friday after weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs data heightened recession concerns and boosted expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut in September. MSCI’s global equities index fell 1.32% to 917.39, its sharpest drop since mid-April, while the dollar and Treasury yields slid amid economic uncertainty and political turmoil.
The U.S. Labor Department reported only 73,000 nonfarm payroll additions in July, far below forecasts of 110,000. June’s figures were revised sharply down to 14,000 from 147,000. Following the report, President Donald Trump ordered the dismissal of Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, a Biden appointee, sparking investor concerns over data integrity. Anxiety deepened as Fed Governor Adriana Kugler announced her early resignation, further fueling volatility in currency and bond markets.
CME’s FedWatch tool showed traders pricing an 87.5% chance of a September rate cut, up from 37.7% the previous day. The dollar index fell 1.37% to 98.66, with the euro climbing to $1.1589 and the yen strengthening to 147.32. U.S. 10-year Treasury yields plunged 14 basis points to 4.22%.
Wall Street mirrored the global sell-off: the Dow Jones dropped 542 points, the S&P 500 fell 1.6%, and the Nasdaq lost 2.24%, its steepest decline since April. Amazon shares sank over 8% after disappointing cloud growth figures.
Adding pressure, Trump announced new tariffs up to 41% on imports from Canada, India, Taiwan, Thailand, and South Korea, with Mexico receiving a temporary reprieve.
Oil prices fell nearly 3% on demand fears and possible OPEC output increases, while gold surged 2% to $3,360 per ounce as investors sought safety amid mounting economic and geopolitical uncertainty.
