Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
US-India Trade Bombshell: Tariffs Slashed to 18% — Rupee Soars, Sensex Explodes 
India Services Sector Rebounds in January as New Business Gains Momentum: HSBC PMI Shows Growth 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Stabilizes, Yen Weakens Ahead of Japan Election 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Singapore’s economy delivered stronger-than-expected performance in late 2025, according to preliminary government data, although policymakers have warned that sustaining such momentum in 2026 will be challenging. Advance estimates released on Friday showed that Singapore’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5.7% year-on-year in the fourth quarter, reflecting robust activity across key sectors. On a quarter-on-quarter, seasonally adjusted basis, GDP expanded by 1.9% compared with the third quarter, highlighting continued economic resilience.
For the full year 2025, Singapore’s economy expanded by 4.8%, an improvement from the 4.4% growth recorded in 2024 and well above earlier expectations. In a New Year message, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong noted that while economic growth in 2025 exceeded forecasts, replicating that pace this year would be difficult due to mounting global uncertainties.
The prime minister attributed last year’s stronger growth partly to U.S. tariffs being implemented later and at lower levels than initially anticipated. He also highlighted a surge in artificial intelligence-driven demand for semiconductors and electronics, which provided a significant boost to Singapore’s export-oriented economy.
Although Friday’s GDP release did not include fresh projections for 2026, the Ministry of Trade and Industry has previously forecast growth of between 1.0% and 3.0% for the year. This more moderate outlook reflects concerns over global trade conditions and potential downside risks from broader sectoral tariffs.
In November, the trade ministry raised its 2025 growth forecast to around 4.0%, up from an earlier range of 1.5% to 2.5%, underscoring how economic performance consistently surprised on the upside. Meanwhile, the Monetary Authority of Singapore kept monetary policy unchanged at its October review, citing resilient growth despite challenges posed by U.S. trade measures. The next policy review is scheduled for later this month.
Singapore’s exports to the United States currently face a 10% tariff, lower than those imposed on several Southeast Asian peers. However, sector-specific levies, including a 100% tariff on branded pharmaceutical products, remain a key concern. Broader sectoral tariffs could dampen demand for Singapore’s exports such as semiconductors, consumer electronics, and pharmaceutical goods, which together account for roughly 40% of exports to the U.S., according to the central bank.
