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 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
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 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
New Zealand has released updated financial forecasts showing the government is unlikely to return to a budget surplus over the next five years, as weak economic conditions continue to outweigh strict fiscal discipline. The projections were published Tuesday as part of the country’s half-year economic and fiscal update, highlighting ongoing challenges for the South Pacific nation’s economy.
New Zealand’s economy has contracted in three of the past five quarters, with recovery slowed by subdued consumer spending, uncertainty around U.S. trade policy, and a fragile global economic outlook. Despite these headwinds, the government remains cautiously optimistic. Treasury now expects third-quarter gross domestic product data, due Thursday, to show growth of 0.9%, suggesting the economy may be turning a corner.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis said recent indicators point to gradual improvement, noting that economic growth is expected to strengthen over the next 18 months. She emphasized that the government will continue to maintain tight control over spending while prioritizing sectors such as health, education, defence, and law and order in the upcoming May budget.
The latest forecasts show a budget deficit of NZ$16.93 billion for the current financial year, wider than the NZ$15.60 billion deficit projected in May. Including costs related to the national accident insurance scheme, the government does not expect to achieve a surplus within the five-year forecast window. By the year ending June 30, 2030, the deficit is projected to narrow significantly to NZ$60 million.
Economic growth expectations have been revised lower in the near term. GDP growth is now forecast at 1.7% for the year ending June 30, 2026, down from a previous estimate of 2.9%. Growth is expected to rebound to 3.4% in the following financial year. Inflation for 2025–2026 is projected at 2.4%, slightly higher than earlier forecasts.
Net debt, excluding advances, is expected to peak at 46.9% of GDP in 2027–2028, marginally higher than earlier estimates. While the government insists fiscal discipline will continue, critics argue that restrained spending could further weigh on economic recovery amid rising external risks.
