Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
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 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
The Japanese yen stabilized near 18-month lows on Thursday, as investors remained cautious about the risk of currency intervention following strong verbal warnings from Japanese officials ahead of a snap national election. The yen hovered around 158.63 per dollar, after strengthening about 0.4% the previous day, but remained close to the recent low of 159.45, highlighting ongoing pressure on the currency.
Concerns over yen depreciation have intensified since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office in October, with the currency sliding nearly 5% amid fears over her proposed fiscal spending plans. Her decision to dissolve the lower house of parliament next week and call an early election has sparked selloffs in both the yen and Japanese government bonds, amplifying worries about Japan’s already massive debt burden. These fiscal uncertainties have complicated the outlook for the Bank of Japan’s monetary policy path and pushed the yen closer to levels that previously triggered intervention.
Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama reiterated warnings against “one-sided depreciation,” while U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also called for measures to curb excessive foreign exchange volatility. Analysts note that markets are closely watching whether official rhetoric will be backed by concrete action. Japan last intervened in July 2024, spending nearly $37 billion to support the yen when it weakened to around 161.96 per dollar, a 38-year low.
Strategists suggest that intervention risk could rise if the yen moves further into the 161–163 range, especially with thinner liquidity expected due to an upcoming U.S. holiday. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan is set to meet next week, with expectations that it will hold rates steady after raising them last month to a 30-year high of 0.75%.
Globally, the U.S. dollar steadied after earlier volatility linked to concerns over Federal Reserve independence under President Donald Trump. Despite political tensions, investors are refocusing on U.S. economic data and the interest rate outlook, while risk-sensitive currencies like the Australian and New Zealand dollars weakened slightly.
Overall, the yen remains vulnerable as election-driven fiscal concerns, intervention risks, and central bank policy uncertainty continue to dominate market sentiment.
