U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
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 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
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 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Oil prices slipped slightly in early Asian trading on Wednesday as increased OPEC+ output and global economic concerns outweighed recent gains. Brent crude fell 5 cents to $65.58 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) declined 9 cents to $63.32.
The retreat followed a 2% rise on Tuesday, driven by fears of supply disruptions from wildfires in Canada and uncertainty over U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations. Market participants expect Iran to reject the latest U.S. deal proposal, which would have eased oil-related sanctions.
Tsuyoshi Ueno, senior economist at NLI Research Institute, noted that despite Canadian supply concerns and halted Iran talks, oil markets are struggling to extend gains. Rising output from OPEC+ is capping price momentum, he said.
Geopolitical tensions also weigh on sentiment. While a potential call between U.S. President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping is anticipated this week, investor optimism remains muted amid prolonged tariff disputes. Trump recently accused China of reneging on tariff rollback commitments, prompting the U.S. to demand trade concessions from partners by Wednesday.
Economic outlooks have dimmed further. The OECD slashed its global growth forecast on Tuesday, citing mounting damage from the trade war. Analysts fear continued uncertainty will dampen energy demand.
Meanwhile, Canadian wildfires continue to disrupt crude output, adding volatility to supply dynamics. In the U.S., crude inventories dropped by 3.3 million barrels last week, according to the American Petroleum Institute. Gasoline stocks, however, rose by 4.7 million barrels, and distillate inventories increased by 760,000 barrels.
A Reuters survey predicted a smaller 1 million barrel draw in crude stocks. Traders now await official inventory data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) for further direction.
