South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
Gold and Silver Prices Plunge as Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
India Budget 2026: Modi Government Eyes Reforms Amid Global Uncertainty and Fiscal Pressures 
Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
Why Trump’s new pick for Fed chair hit gold and silver markets – for good reasons 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
Japan’s manufacturing sector slipped back into contraction in July, ending a brief period of stability, as weak demand weighed on output and new orders, according to the latest S&P Global survey.
The Japan manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) dropped to 48.9 in July from 50.1 in June, falling below the key 50.0 mark that separates growth from decline. The reading was broadly in line with the flash estimate of 48.8.
Most survey responses were collected before last week’s Japan-U.S. trade agreement, which lowered tariffs on Japanese goods to 15% from a threatened 25%. Economists suggest the deal could boost client confidence and support sales in the coming months.
Output contracted at the sharpest pace since March, with firms citing reduced new business volumes. New orders continued to shrink, though at a slower rate than June. Despite weaker demand, manufacturers increased staffing levels, but job creation slowed to a three-month low.
On pricing, input cost inflation eased to its lowest level in over four years, while output prices rose at the fastest pace in a year as companies passed on higher costs to customers.
Business confidence improved to a six-month high, driven by expectations of stronger demand and easing trade-related uncertainties over the next year.
The contraction highlights ongoing challenges for Japan’s manufacturing industry, underscoring the sector’s sensitivity to global trade conditions and domestic demand shifts. Investors will closely watch whether the recent tariff relief translates into sustained recovery in the months ahead.
