BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
The S&P 500 closed at 6,111.75, just shy of its record 6,118.71, slipping 0.1% on Friday as weak retail sales and inflation concerns curbed gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 166 points (-0.4%), while the NASDAQ Composite remained flat.
January retail sales fell 0.9%, exceeding forecasts of a 0.2% decline, after a 0.7% rise in December. Cold weather and Los Angeles wildfires contributed to the drop, raising concerns over consumer spending. Year-over-year sales rose 4.2%. Stifel projected a potential Q1 GDP revision below 2% due to a 0.8% fall in control group sales.
Despite hotter-than-expected CPI and PPI data this week, softer components in PPI may signal a milder PCE price index print—the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge—offering room for possible rate cuts. Fed Chair Jerome Powell, however, urged caution on easing monetary policy.
President Trump signed an executive order proposing reciprocal tariffs matching those from key trading partners, including the EU, South Korea, and Japan, though he delayed implementation for further investigations. This pause eased market concerns, despite existing 25% duties on steel and aluminum.
Hopes for an end to the Ukraine-Russia war lifted sentiment as leaders gathered at the Munich Security Conference following Trump's announcement of upcoming peace talks.
In earnings news, Moderna (MRNA) climbed 3% despite a wider Q4 loss, driven by cost-cutting measures amid declining COVID-19 vaccine demand. GameStop (GME) rose 2.5% following reports of potential Bitcoin and cryptocurrency investments. Airbnb (ABNB) surged over 14% on strong Q4 earnings and increased first-time bookings. Roku (ROKU) jumped 14% after projecting strong ad revenue growth, driven by increased streaming platform demand.
This concise market update highlights key trends, earnings movers, and economic indicators impacting the financial landscape.
