Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
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 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Gold prices held steady in Asian trade on Wednesday, trading within a narrow range as investor sentiment improved on speculation over upcoming talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Spot gold remained flat at $3,353.71 an ounce, while August gold futures edged to $3,377.72 by 00:51 ET (04:51 GMT).
Despite a slight boost in risk appetite, demand for safe-haven assets like gold remained resilient due to ongoing uncertainty in the U.S. economy. Market caution persisted after Trump doubled tariffs on steel and aluminum, and concerns were further heightened by a breakdown in U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations and escalating military tension between Russia and Ukraine. Notably, a Ukrainian underwater attack on a key Russian bridge to Crimea added to geopolitical stress.
Although hopes for renewed U.S.-China trade talks have slightly dampened demand for gold, the metal continues to attract strong bids amid skepticism over a lasting trade agreement. Gold prices are up nearly 2% this week, underlining persistent investor caution.
Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar regained some strength, supported by upcoming nonfarm payroll data and expectations that the Federal Reserve will hold interest rates steady. A firmer dollar typically weighs on metal prices, but some resilience was seen across the board. Platinum futures rose 0.4% to $1,079.40 per ounce, while silver futures held at $34.618.
Copper prices also saw modest gains, buoyed by optimism that improving U.S.-China relations could ease economic pressure on China, the world’s largest copper consumer. London Metal Exchange copper futures rose 0.2% to $9,643.10 a ton, while U.S. copper futures matched the rise at $4.8750 per pound.
