Asian Currencies Stabilize as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High After Fed Hawkish Signal 
Oil Prices Ease as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Peace Deal and Strait of Hormuz Reopening 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
Asian Stocks Advance as Nikkei Nears Record High Ahead of Fed Decision 
ASX Proposes New Share Dilution Limits for Public Takeovers 
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 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Eases Supply Concerns 
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 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
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.
