Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs Wednesday, driven by strong gains in Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) and GE Vernova amid signs of a potential U.S.-EU trade agreement. The deal, expected to mirror President Trump’s prior accord with Japan, could introduce a broad 15% tariff on EU imports, including cars, according to diplomats.
The S&P 500 rose 0.78% to 6,358.91, while the Nasdaq added 0.61% to 21,020.02. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 1.14% to 45,010.29, just shy of a record close. Year-to-date, the S&P 500 has advanced about 8% and the Nasdaq nearly 9%, buoyed by optimism over trade and robust corporate earnings.
GE Vernova surged 14.6% after boosting revenue and free cash flow forecasts, benefiting from soaring AI and cryptocurrency data center energy demand. Nvidia gained 2.25%, continuing its leadership in the AI chip market. Thermo Fisher (NYSE: TMO) also jumped 9% on strong earnings, while Texas Instruments (NASDAQ: TXN) plunged 13% after weak guidance signaled soft demand for analog chips, dragging peers like NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI) and Analog Devices (NASDAQ: ADI) lower.
Market volatility eased, with the CBOE Volatility Index hitting a five-month low. Investors now await U.S. jobless claims and PMI data for further economic signals. Fed rate cuts are viewed as unlikely next week, with September odds around 58%, per CME FedWatch.
Trading volume was heavy at 19.1 billion shares, above the 20-day average. Advancing stocks outnumbered decliners in the S&P 500 by more than 2-to-1, with 50 new highs recorded.
