Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Wall Street’s main indexes climbed on Thursday, supported by strong earnings from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) that reinforced investor optimism about artificial intelligence (AI) and extended a rally in chip stocks. TSMC, the world’s largest maker of advanced chips, raised its full-year revenue forecast, citing surging demand from AI spending. Despite initial gains of over 2% before the opening bell, U.S.-listed TSMC shares slipped 1.1% amid volatile trading.
The upbeat sentiment spread across major U.S. chipmakers. Nvidia rose 1.2%, Micron Technology advanced 2.7%, and Broadcom gained 1.3%, lifting the S&P 500 tech sector by 0.5%. Analysts said investor enthusiasm for AI continues to be fueled by strong spending from tech giants and hyperscalers, with investors now exploring adjacent opportunities beyond traditional chipmakers.
Recent positive momentum in AI-related stocks and expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts have supported markets in recent months. Strong earnings from major banks also highlighted economic resilience, even as official macroeconomic data remain delayed due to the ongoing government shutdown.
At 10:02 a.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 83.57 points, or 0.18%, to 46,336.88. The S&P 500 gained 19.62 points, or 0.29%, to 6,690.68, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 115.74 points, or 0.51%, to 22,785.82. The S&P 500 communication services sector advanced 0.7%, while financials declined 0.9%.
In geopolitical news, tensions flared as China accused the U.S. of inciting panic over rare earth export controls, rejecting Washington’s call to ease restrictions. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump threatened to impose additional 100% tariffs on Chinese goods but remains open to meeting President Xi Jinping later this month.
Elsewhere, Salesforce shares surged 7.1% after projecting 2030 revenue above $60 billion, while Hewlett Packard Enterprise fell 8.6% on weaker profit guidance. J.B. Hunt jumped 17.7% following stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings.
