South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Wall Street share futures edged higher in Asia on Monday after the White House announced exemptions on smartphones and computers from the latest U.S. "reciprocal" tariffs targeting Chinese imports. While the move temporarily eased trade tensions, market gains remained limited as President Donald Trump warned more tariffs could follow.
The exemption, which covers 20 product categories—or 23% of total U.S. imports from China—offered a short-term boost for tech manufacturers. Still, analysts remained skeptical about long-term stability. JPMorgan's chief economist Bruce Kasman cautioned that a universal 10% tax and the hefty 145% tariff on China remain significant risks, projecting a 60% chance of a U.S. or global recession.
S&P 500 futures rose 0.8%, and Nasdaq futures gained 1.25%, extending last week’s rally. Yet, markets remain below April highs when tariff tensions first escalated. Investors are now eyeing corporate earnings from major banks including Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, as well as TSMC’s results amid Trump’s push to probe the global semiconductor supply chain.
Key economic data this week includes U.S. retail sales and China's GDP. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will also speak on Wednesday, with markets eager for insights on potential rate cuts and Treasury market volatility.
In bonds, 10-year U.S. Treasury yields remained elevated at 4.49%, reflecting recent sharp increases in borrowing costs. Meanwhile, the MSCI Asia-Pacific index rose 0.6%, and Japan’s Nikkei surged 2.0% amid fluctuating trade headlines.
Currency markets remained volatile. The dollar traded at 143.72 yen and hovered near decade lows against the Swiss franc. The euro stood at $1.1334 ahead of the ECB’s expected rate cut. Gold prices remained strong at $3,218 per ounce, while Brent crude dipped slightly to $64.67 a barrel.
