New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
U.S. stock index futures traded flat to lower Thursday evening as investors weighed sticky inflation data against relief from a delay in U.S. trade tariffs. Futures held steady following a strong Wall Street session driven by tech stock rallies and optimism over U.S.-Russia peace talks.
S&P 500 Futures remained at 6,134.50 points, Nasdaq 100 Futures dipped 0.1% to 22,086.0 points, and Dow Jones Futures stayed flat at 44,827.0 points.
Investor sentiment improved after President Donald Trump signed an executive order outlining reciprocal trade tariffs but held off on immediate implementation. Earlier in the week, Trump imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and indicated higher tariffs were coming without a set timeline.
Wall Street also found support from lower Treasury yields despite a hotter-than-expected January producer price index (PPI) reading. PPI data, while elevated, hinted at possible softness in components affecting the Federal Reserve’s preferred PCE price index. A softer PCE print could signal more room for rate cuts, though Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned that the central bank remains cautious on easing monetary policy.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for January also exceeded forecasts, signaling persistent inflation pressures.
Despite inflation concerns, major tech stocks surged amid falling yields. Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) rose 3.2%, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) gained 2%, and Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) jumped nearly 6% after hitting a 2.5-month low.
On Thursday, the S&P 500 climbed 1% to 6,115.07 points, nearing a record high. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.5% to 19,945.64 points, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.8% to 44,711.49 points.
