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 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
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 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
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 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
U.S. stock index futures inched higher Wednesday evening as optimism over easing U.S.-China trade tensions lifted sentiment. Investor focus also shifted toward key tech earnings, with Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL) set to report its Q1 results.
S&P 500 Futures and Nasdaq 100 Futures both rose 0.1% to 5,406.25 and 18,817.50 points, respectively, while Dow Jones Futures dipped 0.2% to 39,713.0. The modest gains followed a strong Wall Street session, driven by President Donald Trump’s suggestion of potentially cutting the 145% tariffs on Chinese imports—conditioned on China returning to the negotiating table.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that while the current tariff exchange is unsustainable, there has been no unilateral offer to reduce duties. China, meanwhile, recently imposed 125% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, showing limited interest in de-escalation talks.
Wall Street reacted positively, with the S&P 500 climbing 1.7% to 5,375.82, the NASDAQ surging 2.5% to 16,708.05, and the Dow gaining 1.1% to close at 39,606.57. However, all three indexes closed off their intraday highs amid ongoing market uncertainty.
Investor confidence was also supported by Trump softening his stance against the Federal Reserve, clarifying he does not plan to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell despite earlier criticisms over interest rates.
Looking ahead, Alphabet’s earnings are highly anticipated, especially regarding its AI investments and future spending plans. Other major companies scheduled to report Thursday include Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG), T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS), PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP), Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD), and Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA).
As investors navigate trade policy shifts and corporate earnings, market volatility is expected to remain elevated.
