RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Asian markets rallied Wednesday, led by Japan’s Nikkei, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with Japan, igniting investor optimism despite mixed corporate earnings in the U.S. The Nikkei surged 1.7%, with automakers like Mazda Motor and Toyota jumping 12% and 10%, respectively.
Trump said Japan agreed to invest $550 billion in the U.S. and implement a 15% reciprocal tariff. A separate agreement with the Philippines will see a 19% tariff on its imports. Though details remain limited, analysts noted relief that a 25% baseline tariff was avoided, reducing short-term uncertainty in equity markets.
Adding to the optimism, Trump revealed that EU officials would visit Wednesday for trade talks. Meanwhile, U.S. and Chinese representatives are scheduled to meet in Stockholm next week, potentially extending their August 12 trade deadline.
Despite the trade boost, Wall Street closed mixed on Tuesday. General Motors dropped 8.1% after revealing a $1 billion tariff-related hit. Investors await key earnings from Tesla and Alphabet, whose performance could influence the AI-driven rally in major U.S. tech stocks.
Nasdaq futures inched up 0.1%, while S&P 500 futures gained 0.2%. MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index (excluding Japan) rose 0.2%, with gains in South Korea and Australia.
The yen briefly rose but settled at 146.68 per dollar. The dollar index held flat at 97.45, marking a three-day decline. U.S. 10-year Treasury yields rose slightly to 4.3579% following recent criticism from Trump directed at Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended Fed independence but warned against “mandate creep.”
Spot gold remained stable at $3,429 per ounce as traders balanced risk appetite with safe-haven demand.
