Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Insignia Financial Shares Hit 3-Year High Amid Bain and CC Capital Bidding War 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Nasdaq Proposes Fast-Track Rule to Accelerate Index Inclusion for Major New Listings 
Once Upon a Farm Raises Nearly $198 Million in IPO, Valued at Over $724 Million 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Investors Brace for Market Moves as Trump Begins Second Term 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Rio Tinto Shares Hit Record High After Ending Glencore Merger Talks 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Apple Downgraded by Jefferies Amid Weak iPhone Sales and AI Concerns 
Tech Stocks Rally in Asia-Pacific as Dollar Remains Resilient 
Toyota’s Surprise CEO Change Signals Strategic Shift Amid Global Auto Turmoil 
The S&P 500 plunged 1.6% on Friday after a stronger-than-expected December jobs report heightened fears of a prolonged Federal Reserve rate pause. The Dow Jones dropped 707 points (1.7%), while the NASDAQ Composite also fell 1.6%.
The U.S. economy added 256,000 jobs in December, surpassing expectations of 164,000, while November's figures were revised down to 212,000. The unemployment rate dipped to 4.1% from 4.2%. These robust numbers suggest the Fed may delay rate cuts further. Jefferies noted that current data favors steady rates at the Fed's January and March meetings. Market odds for unchanged rates in January climbed to 98%, with the next potential cut now projected in mid-2024, according to Investing.com's Fed Rate Monitor Tool.
Treasury yields surged, with the 10-year yield reaching 4.765%, the highest since November 2023, dampening growth sectors, particularly technology. Analysts warned that breaching the 5% yield threshold could trigger renewed equity sell-offs.
Chipmakers NVIDIA and AMD led tech declines, with AMD facing pressure from a Goldman Sachs downgrade citing revenue concerns.
Looking ahead, Q4 earnings season kicks off next week. Major banks like JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs are set to report.
Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines soared over 9% on better-than-expected earnings, driven by strong travel demand. Walgreens Boots Alliance jumped 27% after surpassing Q1 earnings estimates and issuing an optimistic annual forecast.
Investors remain cautious as economic data and Fed policy weigh heavily on market sentiment.
