Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
German Auto Suppliers Turn Bearish as Investment and Jobs Shift Overseas 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene as USD/JPY Nears 161 Amid Yen Weakness 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Asian Currencies Stabilize as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High After Fed Hawkish Signal 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low; Gold Falls and Oil Mixed 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
U.S. consumer prices rose less than expected in January, offering modest relief to households as gasoline and rental costs eased. However, persistent increases in service-related expenses suggest the Federal Reserve may hold off on cutting interest rates until later in the year.
According to the Labor Department, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.2% in January, following a 0.3% rise in December and below economists’ forecasts of 0.3%. On an annual basis, inflation slowed to 2.4%, down from 2.7% in December. The moderation was largely due to falling gasoline prices, which dropped 3.2% month-over-month, and softer shelter costs, including rents and hotel stays, which rose 0.2%.
Food prices climbed 0.2% in January after jumping 0.7% in December. Grocery prices edged higher, though declines in beef, eggs, coffee, and fresh produce helped offset increases in cereal and baked goods. Despite monthly relief, food prices remain 2.9% higher than a year ago. Electricity prices dipped slightly in January but surged 6.3% year-over-year, partly reflecting rising energy demand from data centers supporting artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, increased 0.3% after a 0.2% gain in December. Service inflation remained firm, with airline fares soaring 6.5% and hospital services rising 0.9%. Personal care, recreation, and communication services also recorded notable increases. Meanwhile, used car prices fell 1.8%, helping keep overall core goods prices stable.
Year-over-year core inflation slowed to 2.5%, its lowest level since March 2021. Still, both CPI and the Federal Reserve’s preferred Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index remain above the Fed’s 2% target. Strong job growth and a 4.3% unemployment rate further reduce urgency for immediate rate cuts.
While financial markets are increasingly betting on a potential June rate cut, economists expect inflation to remain sticky in the first half of the year, influenced by import tariffs and the weaker U.S. dollar.
