Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
The U.S. dollar edged lower on Monday after posting modest gains last week, as cautious market sentiment and rising geopolitical tensions weighed on risk appetite. Currency markets remained largely subdued in Asia, showing little reaction after the People’s Bank of China left its key benchmark interest rate unchanged, a move that was widely anticipated by investors.
Pressure on the dollar came amid heightened global uncertainty, with fresh concerns over strained relations between the United States and Venezuela, alongside renewed fears of escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran. These developments prompted traders to remain defensive, limiting demand for risk-sensitive assets and curbing further upside in the greenback.
Despite Monday’s pullback, the dollar had found support last week following softer U.S. inflation data that failed to convince markets the Federal Reserve would deliver additional interest rate cuts in the near term. Investors are now turning their attention to December’s inflation report, which analysts believe will play a more decisive role in shaping expectations around future Fed policy and U.S. interest rates.
The Japanese yen strengthened slightly, recovering from recent weakness as government officials reiterated warnings against excessive currency volatility. The USD/JPY pair slipped around 0.2% to trade near 157.45, hovering close to levels not seen since January. Japan’s top currency diplomat, Atsushi Mimura, said authorities stood ready to take “appropriate” action if market moves became disorderly, lending short-term support to the yen.
However, broader concerns continue to weigh on the Japanese currency. The yen has steadily weakened in recent weeks amid worries over Japan’s fiscal outlook and ongoing diplomatic tensions with China. Even after a recent interest rate hike and more hawkish tone from the Bank of Japan, markets were disappointed by the lack of clearer guidance on policy normalization.
Elsewhere, the euro gained modestly, with EUR/USD rising about 0.2%, while the British pound outperformed other major currencies, climbing roughly 0.35% against the dollar. Overall, foreign exchange markets remain sensitive to central bank signals, inflation data, and geopolitical developments that continue to shape global risk sentiment.
