Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
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 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Macquarie Group Misses First-Half Profit Estimates as Commodities Trading Declines
Macquarie Group, Australia’s largest investment bank, reported a first-half profit increase of 14% to A$1.61 billion (USD 1.06 billion). However, this figure fell short of the anticipated A$1.73 billion as forecasted by Visible Alpha, primarily due to weaker performance in its commodities trading division.
Commodities Trading Challenges
Macquarie’s commodities trading unit, a major profit driver, saw a 5% decline in earnings amid stabilizing global energy markets. With less volatility and decreased client demand for hedging, trading volumes dropped. CEO Shemara Wikramanayake highlighted that muted trading conditions were due to reduced demand management, alongside stable energy storage and supply levels.
Dividends and Stock Impact
Responding to the earnings miss, Macquarie declared a reduced interim dividend of A$2.60 per share, down from A$3.85 last year. This announcement, combined with revised guidance, led to a 4.5% midday drop in Macquarie’s share price to A$221.11, pulling the broader Australian market down by 0.9%.
Asset Management Gains
On a positive note, Macquarie saw strong returns from its asset management unit’s partial sale of data center giant AirTrunk, part of its extensive data center portfolio. Wikramanayake mentioned additional “realizations planned for this year” without specific details.
Outlook and Share Buyback
Looking forward, Macquarie extended its A$2 billion buyback plan by another year, signaling continued investor support despite short-term challenges in commodities trading.
