Starmer’s China Visit Signals New Era in UK–China Economic Relations 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Second Week as Tariff Threats and Iran Tensions Shake Markets 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Lower as Tech Earnings and Fed Decision Shape Market Sentiment 
Gold Prices Pull Back After Record Highs as January Rally Remains Strong 
Oil Prices Surge Toward Biggest Monthly Gains in Years Amid Middle East Tensions 
Philippine Economy Slows in Late 2025, Raising Expectations of Further Rate Cuts 
Thailand Moves to Regulate Gold Trading to Curb Baht Strength and Support Economic Growth 
Trump to Announce New Federal Reserve Chair Pick as Powell Replacement Looms 
Oil Prices Hit Four-Month High as Geopolitical Risks and Supply Disruptions Intensify 
Asian Stocks Waver as Trump Signals Fed Pick, Shutdown Deal and Tech Earnings Stir Markets 
U.S. and El Salvador Sign Landmark Critical Minerals Agreement to Boost Investment and Trade 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
Wall Street Slips as Tech Stocks Slide on AI Spending Fears and Earnings Concerns 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Rebounds Ahead of Fed Rate Decision 
Dollar Struggles as Policy Uncertainty Weighs on Markets Despite Official Support 
South Korea Industry Minister Heads to Washington Amid U.S. Tariff Hike Concerns 
U.S. stock futures soared Monday after the White House and Chinese officials reached a trade agreement, easing tensions between the world's two largest economies and fueling optimism across key sectors.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) jumped 6.5% following the deal and a report from The Wall Street Journal indicating the tech giant may raise iPhone prices without directly attributing it to tariffs. Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) surged 7.6%, driven by its reliance on Chinese supply chains and the improved trade outlook.
Chinese stocks also gained significantly. Alibaba (NYSE:BABA), JD.com (NASDAQ:JD), and Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU) all traded sharply higher, reflecting investor confidence in renewed U.S.-China cooperation.
Energy stocks rose alongside oil prices. Chevron (NYSE:CVX) and Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) climbed about 2%, boosted by expectations of increased demand from the world’s top two oil consumers.
On the downside, pharmaceutical stocks slipped after President Donald Trump announced plans to slash prescription drug prices by 59%, though details remain unclear. Pfizer (NYSE:PFE), Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY), and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) all declined over 2%. Additionally, Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) fell 3% after Eli Lilly’s Zepbound outperformed Wegovy in a weight-loss drug trial.
Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) gained 2.8% following a DA Davidson analyst note suggesting that breaking up the Google parent company could unlock significant shareholder value.
Polestar (NASDAQ:PSNY) rose 3.7% after the EV maker posted a narrowed quarterly loss, signaling progress in cost-cutting and premium model sales. Monday.Com (NASDAQ:MNDY) rallied 5.9% after surpassing first-quarter earnings estimates and offering upbeat full-year guidance.
Overall, the market welcomed the trade truce, with tech, energy, and select growth stocks leading the rally.
