Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
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U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.8% to 37,096.51 by midday Tuesday, its lowest level since September 18, as investors grew cautious ahead of new U.S. tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. The Topix index dropped 1.2% to 2,696.99, with market sentiment further dampened by a stronger yen and underperformance in exporters and tech stocks.
The yen strengthened to its highest level since early December after U.S. President Donald Trump warned Japan and China against currency devaluation, calling it unfair to the U.S. The stronger yen weighed on major exporters like Toyota Motor (NYSE: TM), down 2.2%, while Fast Retailing fell 2.6% and SoftBank Group (TYO: 9984) slid 5.2%. Seven & i Holdings tumbled 10.2%, adding to the market downturn.
Technology stocks struggled as well, with Advantest plunging 6.2% amid concerns over U.S. growth and tariff impacts. Analysts noted similarities to last summer’s market turmoil, when the Nikkei plunged due to a rising yen and U.S. recession fears.
Wall Street’s major indexes closed sharply lower Monday after Trump announced 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, alongside an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods. The impact rippled through global markets, fueling volatility in Japan.
The Nikkei Volatility Index surged to 31.6, its highest since early November, following the U.S. presidential election. Analysts suggest Japan’s policymakers may remain hawkish on yen movements, limiting hopes for intervention.
As trade tensions escalate and economic uncertainty looms, investors remain wary of further downside risks in Japan’s stock market.
