U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
Wall Street Slips as Tech Stocks Slide on AI Spending Fears and Earnings Concerns 
Philippine Economy Slows in Late 2025, Raising Expectations of Further Rate Cuts 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
Trump to Announce New Federal Reserve Chair Pick as Powell Replacement Looms 
Indonesia Stocks Face Fragile Sentiment After MSCI Warning and Market Rout 
Oil Prices Surge Toward Biggest Monthly Gains in Years Amid Middle East Tensions 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
Copper Prices Hit Record Highs as Metals Rally Gains Momentum on Geopolitical Tensions 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
South Korea Industry Minister Heads to Washington Amid U.S. Tariff Hike Concerns 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
Trump Threatens 50% Tariff on Canadian Aircraft Amid Escalating U.S.-Canada Trade Dispute 
U.S. and El Salvador Sign Landmark Critical Minerals Agreement to Boost Investment and Trade 
Indonesian Stocks Plunge as MSCI Downgrade Risk Sparks Investor Exodus 
Gold prices edged higher on Monday in Asian trading as the U.S. dollar weakened, while uncertainty over trade tariffs and geopolitical tensions supported safe-haven demand. Spot gold gained 0.3% to $2,865.69 per ounce, while April gold futures climbed 0.9% to $2,873.59.
The U.S. dollar slipped 0.4%, retreating from a two-week high amid uncertainty surrounding additional tariffs. President Donald Trump confirmed a 10% tariff increase on China and reaffirmed 25% levies on Mexico and Canada. However, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that final tariff decisions would be made on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, stalled talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Trump raised concerns over prolonged geopolitical instability, further bolstering gold’s appeal. A weaker dollar also lifted other precious metals—platinum futures jumped 1.2% to $949.10, while silver futures climbed 0.7% to $31.73.
Economic data added to market speculation about future Federal Reserve policy. U.S. consumer sentiment dipped 0.2% in January, marking its first decline in nearly two years. The Atlanta Fed projected a 1.5% annualized economic growth rate for Q1 2025, down from 2.3% in the prior quarter. While expectations for rate cuts rose, inflation remained firm, with the Fed’s preferred PCE price index increasing 0.3% in January, the same as in December.
Copper prices saw modest gains, supported by a weaker dollar and strong manufacturing data from China. The Caixin PMI hit a three-month high, signaling better-than-expected factory activity. Benchmark copper futures on the London Metal Exchange edged up 0.3% to $9,985.70 per ton, while April copper futures hovered at $4.5595 per pound.
