Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
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 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Russia’s stock market ended flat on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index closing unchanged at 0.00%. Trading activity remained muted as key stocks showed no movement during the session.
AFK Sistema PJSC (MCX:AFKS) ended the day steady at 15.45, while Aeroflot PJSC (MCX:AFLT) remained at 56.98 and ROSSETI PJSC (MCX:FEES) closed at 0.07. Interestingly, the same companies led both the day’s best and worst performance list, reflecting the lack of price action. Market breadth also stayed neutral, with no advancing or declining stocks reported on the Moscow Stock Exchange.
The Russian Volatility Index (RVI), which tracks implied volatility of MOEX options, held firm at 31.90, suggesting cautious sentiment among investors.
In commodities, gold futures for December delivery rose 1.52% to $3,413.80 per troy ounce, supported by safe-haven demand. Meanwhile, energy markets faced selling pressure, with September crude oil contracts falling 2.79% to $67.33 per barrel and October Brent contracts dropping 3.94% to $69.67 per barrel.
Currency markets showed mixed movements. The U.S. dollar weakened against the Russian ruble, with USD/RUB down 1.36% at 80.00, while EUR/RUB edged higher by 0.11% to 92.68. The U.S. Dollar Index Futures also slipped 0.81% to 98.93, reflecting broader dollar softness.
Investors are watching global commodity trends and currency fluctuations closely, as these factors continue to influence Russian market sentiment. The flat close of the MOEX Index highlights cautious positioning amid ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainties impacting Russia’s financial markets.
