Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
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.
