Gold Prices Slip in Asian Trade as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
India–US Trade Deal: Digital Tax Removal and $500 Billion Purchase Commitment Signal Major Policy Shift 
China Signals Strategic Rare Earth Push Amid Rising U.S. Competition 
Asian Stocks Hit Record High as Strong U.S. Jobs Data Tempers Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Nikkei 225 Surges Past 58,000 as Japan Stocks Rally on Takaichi Stimulus Boost 
Gold and Silver Prices Rise as Falling U.S. Yields Signal Softer Economy Ahead of Key Jobs Data 
Yen Strengthens as Japan Election Boosts Confidence, Dollar Wavers Ahead of U.S. Jobs Data 
Oil Prices Hold Firm as U.S.–Iran Talks and Inventory Data Shape Market Sentiment 
Australian Central Bank Signals Tough Stance as Inflation Pressures Persist 
British Retail Sales See Strong Start to 2026 as Food and In-Store Spending Rise 
House Votes to End Trump’s Canada Tariff Emergency, Senate Showdown Looms 
Japan Weighs Using Foreign Exchange Reserve Surplus to Fund Food Tax Cuts 
Australian Business Conditions Ease Slightly in January as Cost Pressures Hit Post-Pandemic Lows 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Dollar Retreats Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Dollar Slips Ahead of Key U.S. Data as Yen Holds Post-Election Gains 
Asian Currencies Rise as Dollar Weakens Ahead of U.S. Payrolls Data; Aussie Hits Three-Year High 
U.S. stock futures were little changed Wednesday evening following a muted session on Wall Street, as investors weighed a stronger-than-expected jobs report that dampened expectations for near-term Federal Reserve rate cuts. Market participants are now turning their attention to upcoming inflation data for further direction.
By 8:04 p.m. ET, S&P 500 futures edged up 0.1% to 6,963.75, Dow Jones futures gained 0.1% to 50,228.0, while Nasdaq 100 futures slipped 0.1% to 25,262.75. The modest moves came after major U.S. indexes closed nearly flat in regular trading. The S&P 500 ended unchanged, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.1%, snapping a three-day winning streak, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.2%.
Investor sentiment shifted after fresh labor market data showed the U.S. economy added 130,000 nonfarm payrolls in January, surpassing economist expectations. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate dipped to 4.3%, signaling continued economic resilience. While strong employment growth supports the broader economic outlook, it also reduces the likelihood of imminent interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve. Traders have since scaled back bets on monetary policy easing in the coming months.
However, revisions to prior months’ data pointed to softer underlying job trends, suggesting pockets of weakness beneath the headline numbers. Analysts noted that outside of sectors such as leisure and hospitality, private healthcare, and government, job growth has been less consistent. This mixed picture keeps the debate over future Fed policy moves open, with some economists still forecasting potential rate cuts later this year.
Markets are now closely watching Friday’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which could provide critical insight into inflation trends and shape expectations for future Federal Reserve decisions.
In corporate news, McDonald’s reported quarterly earnings that beat revenue and sales estimates, though its stock showed limited after-hours movement. Meanwhile, Cisco Systems shares fell 7% in extended trading after issuing disappointing earnings and guidance, adding pressure to technology stocks.
