Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
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 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
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 
Japan’s industrial sector showed stronger-than-expected momentum in October, with government data revealing a 1.4% month-on-month increase in industrial production. The latest figures surprised analysts, who had anticipated a 0.5% decline, and follow a revised 2.6% rise in September. The improvement offers an early indication that Japan’s manufacturing activity may be stabilizing after months of uneven output driven by supply disruptions and fluctuating global demand.
The uptick was supported by higher production in key industries such as automobiles and electronic components, reflecting improving parts availability and firmer export orders. These gains suggest that manufacturers are gradually recovering from earlier supply-chain constraints. However, the outlook remains cautious. According to the government’s survey, manufacturers expect factory output to slip 1.2% in November and decline a further 2% in December, underscoring persistent concerns about soft global demand and lingering logistical frictions.
In a positive sign for domestic demand, Japan’s retail sales rose 1.7% year-on-year in October, surpassing market expectations of a 0.8% increase. The rebound also marks a notable improvement from the modest 0.2% growth recorded in the previous month. Analysts attribute the stronger retail activity to improving consumer sentiment driven by the anticipation of tax cuts and more expansionary economic policies under the new administration.
Private consumption continues to play a critical role in Japan’s economic performance and has been a major contributor to the nation’s inflationary trend in recent years. Stronger spending has also influenced the Bank of Japan’s decision to raise interest rates as it shifts away from its longstanding ultra-loose monetary stance.
Overall, October’s data highlights a mixed but encouraging picture: manufacturing is showing signs of resilience while consumer demand strengthens, although challenges across global markets may continue to weigh on Japan’s near-term economic outlook.
