Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
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 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
U.S. stocks ended mixed Friday, with the S&P 500 securing a two-week winning streak despite slipping 0.1% after reaching a record intraday high of 6,594.67. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 273 points, or 0.6%, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.5%. Rising Treasury yields and weak consumer sentiment weighed on markets.
The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 55.4 in September from 58.2, missing forecasts. While one-year inflation expectations held steady at 4.8%, five-year expectations rose to 3.9% from 3.5%, signaling persistent inflation concerns. Meanwhile, 10-year Treasury yields climbed 6 basis points to 4.07%, even as markets priced in a near-certain Federal Reserve rate cut next week. Futures traders anticipate a 25 basis point reduction, though a larger move remains possible.
Recent data added to expectations of monetary easing. Consumer prices posted the sharpest monthly gain since January, while jobless claims spiked to 263,000, the highest since 2021. Analysts suggest the Fed’s priority has shifted from inflation to stabilizing the weakening labor market.
Global fund flows reflected investor caution, with equity funds posting $3.06 billion in outflows—the first in five weeks. U.S. equity funds lost $10.44 billion, though European and Asian funds attracted $3.77 billion and $1.87 billion in inflows, respectively.
On the corporate front, Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE) raised its annual outlook, citing robust demand for AI-driven creative software. Super Micro Computer (NASDAQ: SMCI) began volume shipments of Nvidia Blackwell Ultra solutions, while RH (NYSE: RH) missed revenue estimates. Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and OpenAI reached a non-binding agreement on the AI firm’s for-profit transition. New IPOs include Gemini Space Station, Black Rock Coffee Bar, Via Transportation, and Legence.
