Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Russian stocks closed lower on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index dropping 0.98%, weighed down by declines in the mining, telecoms, and power sectors.
PhosAgro PJSC (MCX:PHOR) led the gainers, rising 0.85% to 6,633.00. TATNEFT (MCX:TATN) added 0.77% to close at 693.90, while LUKOIL PJSC (MCX:LKOH) climbed 0.73%, ending at 7,346.50.
On the downside, PIK SHb PJSC (MCX:PIKK) was the session’s worst performer, falling 5.80% to 590.00. AFK Sistema PJSC (MCX:AFKS) dropped 3.25% to 18.74, and VK Company Ltd (MCX:VKCO) lost 2.35%, closing at 294.40.
Market sentiment remained cautious, with declining stocks outnumbering gainers. The Russian Volatility Index (RVI), which gauges implied volatility on MOEX Russia Index options, fell sharply by 11.03% to 42.04, indicating reduced investor uncertainty despite the market downturn.
In commodities, April gold futures slipped 0.74% to $3,021.40 per troy ounce. Crude oil for May delivery eased 0.26% to $67.89 a barrel. However, Brent oil for May edged up 0.22% to $72.16.
On the currency front, the ruble strengthened against major currencies. USD/RUB fell 0.50% to 84.50, while EUR/RUB declined 0.84% to 91.37. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index Futures gained 0.24%, reaching 103.74.
With geopolitical factors and commodity prices continuing to influence market trends, investors remain vigilant. The decline in MOEX reflects broader caution across global markets, especially amid shifting energy and currency dynamics.
