Asian Stocks Waver as Trump Signals Fed Pick, Shutdown Deal and Tech Earnings Stir Markets 
India Budget 2026: Modi Government Eyes Reforms Amid Global Uncertainty and Fiscal Pressures 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
Wall Street Slips as Tech Stocks Slide on AI Spending Fears and Earnings Concerns 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
Gold Prices Pull Back After Record Highs as January Rally Remains Strong 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
Japan Election Poll Signals Landslide Win for Sanae Takaichi, Raising Fiscal Policy Concerns 
LG Energy Solution Signs Major EV Battery Deal with Mercedes-Benz
South Korea's LG Energy Solution has signed a major agreement to supply electric vehicle (EV) batteries to a Mercedes-Benz affiliate in North America and other regions, as announced on Tuesday. The deal reinforces LG’s growing presence in the EV battery market.
Key Details of the Deal
In a regulatory filing, LG Energy Solution stated it will supply 50.5 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of EV batteries over 10 years from 2028 to 2038. Although the financial details of the contract were not disclosed, the deal positions LG as a strategic supplier to one of the world’s top automakers.
EV Industry Trends
The announcement comes as the automotive industry faces challenges. Major automakers, including General Motors (GM) and Ford, have reported weaker quarterly sales due to rising vehicle affordability concerns. Meanwhile, Tesla posted lower-than-expected quarterly delivery figures earlier this month, underscoring the cautious spending behavior of buyers.
Why It Matters
As electric vehicle adoption accelerates globally, battery suppliers like LG Energy Solution are becoming indispensable partners for automakers moving toward electric mobility. This long-term partnership with Mercedes-Benz strengthens LG’s position in the EV ecosystem.
Securing consistent battery supplies is crucial for automakers aiming to maintain production levels and meet the growing consumer demand for EVs.
