Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
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 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
The S&P 500 achieved a two-week winning streak despite a 0.3% decline on Friday, retreating from a fresh intraday record high of 6,128.18. The NASDAQ Composite dropped 0.5%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 140 points, or 0.3%. Positive corporate earnings and economic data continued to drive momentum as all three major indexes posted their second consecutive weekly gain.
Verizon Communications saw a nearly 1% rise in stock after reporting its strongest quarterly wireless subscriber growth in five years. American Express dropped 1.4% despite a 12% jump in Q4 profits fueled by holiday spending. Boeing slid 1.4% after projecting a $4 billion loss due to a strike, government project charges, and job cut expenses. Texas Instruments tumbled 7.5% on lower-than-expected profit forecasts, citing inventory challenges in key markets.
Twilio’s stock soared 20% following positive earnings guidance through 2027. Meta Platforms hit a record high, fueled by plans to invest $60–$65 billion in AI infrastructure. Intuitive Machines gained a $2.5 million NASA contract for lunar logistics solutions.
The Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 71.1 in January, down from 74.0 in December, ahead of next week’s Federal Reserve meeting. Analysts widely expect the Fed to hold interest rates steady, dismissing inflationary pressures tied to tariffs as temporary. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan raised rates by 25 basis points, marking its third hike since scaling back ultra-loose policies.
This mix of earnings, economic data, and global policy developments highlights ongoing market dynamics, keeping investors focused on corporate performance and central bank decisions.
