U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
The Nasdaq closed slightly lower on Friday, capping its steepest weekly decline since early April as investors reassessed the rapid gains in artificial intelligence (AI) and technology shares. The index dropped about 3% for the week, while chip and tech-related stocks were the biggest losers. Despite this setback, the Nasdaq remains up more than 50% since April, driven by optimism around AI following President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff announcements.
Market sentiment cooled after The Financial Times reported Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s warning that China may surpass the U.S. in the AI race. “We’re seeing this AI selloff continue after those comments,” said Michael O’Rourke, chief market strategist at JonesTrading. “It’s a recalibration of valuations, along with some profit-taking after a strong rally this year.”
All three major U.S. stock indexes opened sharply lower but pared losses later in the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 74.80 points, or 0.16%, to 46,987.10; the S&P 500 gained 8.49 points, or 0.13%, to 6,728.81; while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 49.45 points, or 0.21%, to 23,004.54. Global markets also softened, with MSCI’s world stock index down 0.07% and Europe’s STOXX 600 off 0.55%.
Meanwhile, weaker China trade data highlighted the impact of U.S. tariffs. China’s exports fell 1.1% in October, their worst drop since February. U.S. Treasury yields edged down as consumer sentiment hit its lowest level since mid-2022 amid the ongoing government shutdown. The 10-year Treasury yield slipped to 4.091%.
The U.S. dollar weakened slightly, with the dollar index down 0.11% to 99.57, while oil and gold prices edged higher. U.S. crude settled at $59.75 per barrel, and Brent rose to $63.63, supported by hopes of energy cooperation between the U.S. and Hungary.
