Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
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 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
The U.S. dollar weakened early Wednesday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s comments strengthened market expectations of an interest rate cut later this month. Powell signaled that the Fed remains open to easing policy at its October 28–29 meeting, citing a sluggish labor market and the ongoing government shutdown, which has limited official economic data but not hindered the Fed’s assessment of the outlook.
Following Powell’s remarks, the dollar index — which measures the greenback against six major currencies including the yen, euro, and Swiss franc — steadied at 99.055 after a 0.2% dip on Tuesday. The greenback held at 151.80 yen after slipping 0.3% in the prior session, while it traded flat at 0.8013 Swiss franc following a similar decline overnight. The euro also maintained its gains, holding at $1.1606 after advancing 0.3% the day before, supported by the French government’s proposal to pause contentious pension reforms.
Markets now anticipate a quarter-point rate cut this month and another in December, with several more reductions expected next year, according to LSEG data.
On the geopolitical front, the U.S. and China reignited trade tensions with reciprocal fees on shipping companies, escalating fears of further economic disruption. President Donald Trump hinted at potentially cutting certain trade ties with Beijing, raising investor anxiety and boosting safe-haven demand.
Joseph Capurso, head of foreign exchange at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, warned that U.S.-China tensions could intensify further, putting pressure on risk-sensitive currencies like the Australian dollar. The Aussie edged up 0.1% to $0.6491 after touching a three-week low on Tuesday, while the New Zealand dollar eased 0.1% to $0.5706, extending a six-month low.
