Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Rio Tinto Shares Hit Record High After Ending Glencore Merger Talks 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Weight-Loss Drug Ads Take Over the Super Bowl as Pharma Embraces Direct-to-Consumer Marketing 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
SpaceX Prioritizes Moon Mission Before Mars as Starship Development Accelerates 
Washington Post Publisher Will Lewis Steps Down After Layoffs 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
FDA Targets Hims & Hers Over $49 Weight-Loss Pill, Raising Legal and Safety Concerns 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Baidu Approves $5 Billion Share Buyback and Plans First-Ever Dividend in 2026 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Prudential Financial Reports Higher Q4 Profit on Strong Underwriting and Investment Gains 
U.S. stock index futures edged higher Tuesday evening following Wall Street gains, as investors evaluated President Donald Trump’s initial policies. S&P 500 Futures climbed 0.2% to 6,096.25 points, Nasdaq 100 Futures rose 0.5% to 21,810.35 points, while Dow Jones Futures remained flat at 44,238.0 points.
Markets were optimistic after Trump’s inauguration as the 45th U.S. President, as he avoided imposing tariffs on his first day. In his address, Trump emphasized economic revitalization and national security while prioritizing domestic interests. Early executive orders included forming a Department of Government Efficiency, led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Netflix shares soared over 14% in after-hours trading, reaching $993.99, after reporting a record-breaking 19 million new subscribers in Q4 2024. The surge was fueled by hit content, regional programming, and price hikes in key markets. Quarterly revenue rose 8% year-over-year to $9.5 billion, with net income up 12% at $915 million.
The Dow Jones closed up 1.2% at 44,025.81 points, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq gained 0.9% and 0.6%, respectively. Analysts predict market volatility as Trump’s policies unfold but anticipate overall growth in his first year.
Trump also announced a $500 billion joint venture, Stargate, involving OpenAI, Oracle, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and SoftBank. The project aims to develop AI data centers and energy facilities in Texas, strengthening U.S. AI capabilities. Oracle surged 7.7%, with Microsoft and NVIDIA shares rising in extended trading.
Looking ahead, GE Vernova, Johnson & Johnson, and Procter & Gamble will release earnings on Wednesday.
This article captures Trump-era policy impacts and corporate highlights, driving market trends and investment insights.
