Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
The Japanese government bonds surged at the end of Asian session Friday tracking a similar movement in the United States Treasuries, after President Donald Trump dropped the bombshell that he would not meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping before the March 1 deadline for the 90-day trade truce.
This left markets in risk-off territory as the spectre of US raising tariffs to 25 percent then came back into play, weighing heavily on the performance of the equity market, as investors started to switch positions to risk-haven assets.
Gold, a safe-haven instrument in the financial markets, is holding well above the $1,300/oz level, despite rally in the U.S. dollar.
The yield on the benchmark 10-year JGB note, which moves inversely to its price, slumped nearly 3 basis points to -0.028 percent, the yield on the long-term 30-year fell 2 basis points to 0.591 percent and the yield on short-term 2-year plunged 16-1/2 basis points to -0.164 percent by 06:00GMT.
In addition, a weak global outlook, further dampened investors’ risk sentiments – Federal Reserve Governor Jerome Powell, in his speech on Wednesday, said that sluggish productivity and a widening wealth gap are the biggest risks to the U.S. economy.
According to a report from CNBC, the European Commission has also revised downward its growth outlook for the euro zone this year as global trade tensions and among headwinds undermine the bloc's largest economies. The Commission sees euro zone growth slowing to 1.3 percent this year from 1.9 percent in 2018.
Meanwhile, the Nikkei 225 index closed nearly 2 percent lower at 20,341.00, while at 06:00GMT, the FxWirePro's Hourly JPY Strength Index remained neutral at 63.90 (a reading above +75 indicates a bullish trend, while that below -75 a bearish trend). For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex
