Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
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 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
U.S. markets were rattled Friday as sharp downward revisions to prior jobs data and President Donald Trump’s sudden firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) chief fueled fears over economic data reliability and Federal Reserve policy.
The July employment report showed nonfarm payrolls rising by just 73,000, well below forecasts of 110,000. June’s figure was slashed from 147,000 to 14,000, and May’s was revised from 144,000 to 19,000 — a combined downward revision of 258,000 jobs. Economists warned such significant adjustments suggest the Fed may have misread the labor market and could accelerate rate cuts to stabilize growth.
Trump, alleging the data was “rigged” to damage Republicans, ordered BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer’s dismissal, a move analysts say risks undermining trust in future economic reports. The turmoil coincided with the resignation of Fed Governor Adriana Kugler, giving Trump an opportunity to reshape the Federal Open Market Committee amid already strained relations.
Markets swiftly priced in easing: CME data showed the probability of a September rate cut jumping to 81% from 38% the day before. Treasury yields plunged, with the 10-year falling 15 basis points to 4.22%, its steepest drop since April, while the S&P 500 slid 1.6% to its lowest level since early July.
Investors remain concerned about the dual drag of weakening employment and Trump’s tariffs, which could worsen inflation and stall growth. Analysts warn job creation is nearing “stall speed,” raising fears of a potential recession.
The Fed, led by Chair Jerome Powell, faces heightened pressure to navigate policy amid unreliable data, shifting trade policies, and mounting market anxiety.
