U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
Gold and Silver Prices Plunge as Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
EU Recovery Fund Faces Bottlenecks Despite Driving Digital and Green Projects 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
Why Trump’s new pick for Fed chair hit gold and silver markets – for good reasons 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
U.S. stocks surged Monday, bouncing back from Friday’s sharp selloff as investors welcomed signs of easing tensions between Washington and Beijing. The S&P 500 jumped 1.6%, the Nasdaq Composite soared 3.2%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 588 points, or 1.3%, after President Donald Trump struck a conciliatory tone toward China.
Trump said over the weekend that “everything will be fine” and that the U.S. was not looking to harm China, remarks that helped calm fears of a full-blown trade war. His earlier threats to impose tariffs of up to 100% on Chinese goods and restrict exports of critical U.S. software had rattled markets, especially after Beijing expanded its export curbs on rare earth materials. However, the upcoming meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping could offer a diplomatic “off-ramp,” analysts at Capital Economics noted.
Despite hopes of de-escalation, traders remain cautious amid unpredictable policy shifts. A deeper U.S.-China rift could still weigh heavily on both economies, though China’s resilience has exceeded expectations so far.
Tech stocks led Monday’s rally, fueled by artificial intelligence enthusiasm and prospects for lower interest rates. Broadcom shares surged 10% after announcing a multiyear partnership with OpenAI to develop and deploy 10 gigawatts of custom AI accelerators and computing systems by 2029. Oracle also gained ahead of its major AI event in Las Vegas, while chipmakers ASML and TSMC prepare to release earnings later this week.
In media news, Warner Bros Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) jumped after reports that it rejected a $20-per-share takeover offer from Paramount Skydance, potentially setting the stage for renewed negotiations or a hostile bid.
Meanwhile, gold prices soared to new record highs, with spot gold hitting $4,109.79 per ounce and U.S. futures climbing to $4,128.85, as investors sought safety amid global uncertainty. Silver also reached an all-time high, underscoring strong safe-haven demand despite improving market sentiment.
