Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
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 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Gold prices edged lower in early Asian trading on Friday, retreating from recent record highs as a mix of profit-taking and shifting safe-haven demand weighed on the market. Despite the pullback, gold remains on track for an exceptional January performance, supported by geopolitical tensions, a weaker U.S. dollar, and uncertainty over interest rates.
Spot gold fell 0.5% to around $5,342.70 per ounce, while April gold futures ticked up 0.3% to approximately $5,365.39 per ounce. The modest decline followed a volatile session on Thursday, when gold prices surged to a record high near $5,600 per ounce before sharply reversing course. The rally was driven largely by reports suggesting the United States was preparing further military action against Iran, which boosted demand for safe-haven assets such as gold.
Even with Friday’s dip, bullion prices remained firmly on course for a stellar month. Spot gold has gained nearly 24% in January, marking its strongest monthly performance since the 1980s. The precious metal added roughly $1,000 per ounce over the course of the month, fueled by heightened global geopolitical risks and growing investor appetite for physical assets during times of uncertainty.
A notable decline in the U.S. dollar has also supported gold and other metals. Concerns surrounding U.S. fiscal health, combined with lingering questions about the future path of U.S. interest rates, have pressured the greenback, making dollar-denominated commodities more attractive to global investors.
Other precious metals also cooled after experiencing sharp swings earlier in the week. Spot silver slipped 1% to about $114.05 per ounce, staying close to a record high reached on Thursday. Platinum prices dropped nearly 2% to around $2,600 per ounce, while palladium also eased after strong recent gains.
Despite short-term volatility, the broader metals market has seen impressive gains in January. Silver has been the standout performer, surging more than 62% this month. Platinum is up roughly 28.4%, while palladium has gained about 25.3%, underscoring the strength of the ongoing metals rally as investors continue to seek protection amid global economic and geopolitical uncertainty.
