RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
The U.S. dollar headed for a second consecutive weekly decline as escalating geopolitical tensions and renewed tariff threats weighed on investor confidence and reduced demand for U.S. assets. The dollar index (DXY), a key gauge of the greenback against a basket of major currencies, remained under pressure despite a modest rebound late in the week.
Market sentiment deteriorated after the White House confirmed that President Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting countries that supply oil to Cuba, raising fears of broader trade disruptions. These tariff threats added to existing global strains involving Iran, Venezuela, Greenland, and Europe, all of which have unsettled foreign exchange markets.
Concerns intensified following reports that Trump is considering targeted military strikes against Iran. The possibility of conflict pushed oil prices higher and further weakened the U.S. dollar, as investors moved away from risk-sensitive U.S. assets. Analysts noted that geopolitical uncertainty has become a key driver behind the recent dollar slide.
On Friday, the dollar index edged up 0.2% to 96.35, trimming its weekly loss to around 1.1%, though it remained near multi-year lows. Earlier in the week, the dollar touched a four-year low after Trump appeared unconcerned about currency weakness. Some stability returned after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated Washington’s commitment to a strong-dollar policy.
In currency markets, the euro slipped 0.2% to $1.194, while the Japanese yen weakened to 153.39 per dollar. Sterling also eased to $1.3791. A softer dollar has offered limited relief to the yen, which has hovered in the 152–154 range amid speculation about potential intervention by U.S. and Japanese authorities.
The Federal Reserve provided mild support to the greenback after holding interest rates steady, with Chair Jerome Powell citing a resilient U.S. economy and easing inflation risks. In Japan, Tokyo inflation data showed core consumer prices rising 2% year-on-year, aligning with the central bank’s target.
Elsewhere, the Australian and New Zealand dollars both slipped against the U.S. dollar. In cryptocurrencies, bitcoin and ether posted small declines, reflecting cautious risk sentiment across global markets.
