Asian shares climbed to a record as cheaper valuations and regional growth prospects drew investors broadening their focus beyond US markets. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index advanced 1% to an all-time high, with most subsectors gaining. Asian shares have outpaced the S&P 500 this year, even as the US benchmark also hit a record high. Gold and silver pared earlier losses as Citigroup Inc. issued a bullish outlook for them. Much of the action was in Japan, where stocks jumped and government bond yields surged on speculation that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi might call a snap election. The yen dropped to its weakest level against the dollar since July 2024, as losses accelerated following a report on elections. Defense and nuclear stocks rose in the so-called “Takaichi trade,” which has helped fuel equity gains, bond losses and a weak Japanese currency. Asian shares, relatively cheaper even after three years of gains, face key risks this week from US inflation data and a possible Supreme Court ruling on President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The momentum in stocks suggested investors are looking beyond the US, where renewed attacks by the Trump administration on the Federal Reserve have raised concerns over central-bank independence. Global investors have become “more open to geographically diversifying their equity exposure, and has been presented with some new reasons to potentially do so as the new year has gotten underway,” wrote Lori Calvasina, US equity strategist at RBC Capital Markets LLC, in a note. Asian shares are cheaper compared with US benchmarks. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index trades at about 15 times earnings, compared with about 22 times for the S&P 500 and 25 times for the Nasdaq 100, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Elsewhere, Treasuries and a gauge of the dollar steadied after declining during the US session as the Trump administration escalated its attacks on the Fed. On Sunday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the central bank had been served grand jury subpoenas from the Justice Department threatening a criminal indictment. The latest salvo between the Trump administration and the Fed comes as investors navigate a chaotic backdrop. The president has taken aim at credit card companies, homebuilders and defense contractors — while also considering a US role in the Iranian protests after capturing Venezuela’s leader earlier in January. Late Monday, Trump said he would impose a 25% tariff on any country that’s “doing business” with Iran, sending crude oil higher.
The US core consumer price index, regarded as a measure of underlying inflation because it strips out volatile food and energy costs, is seen rising 2.7% in December from a year earlier. Fourth-quarter US earnings, meanwhile, kick off in earnest later this week and are expected to show healthy performance, according to Michael Casper and Wendy Soong at Bloomberg Intelligence. Investors in Asia are focused on the developments in Japan. The yen underperformed its Group-of-10 peers amid speculation a snap election would lead to higher fiscal outlay and faster inflation. The currency extended its losses and fell as much as 0.5% to 158.91 per dollar on Tuesday, surpassing the previous low of 158.87 in January 2025. Local media reported Takaichi, who has sought to mitigate the impact of rising costs of living with a stimulus package, may call for a vote. US After Hours TVTX -18.9% under pressure following guidance; RVTY +5.9% and OPCH +4.5% higher on guidance; ORA +3.3% on 20-year PPA with Switch.
Nikkei +3.10% Hang Seng +0.54%% CSI -0.74%% Shanghai -0.73% Shenzen -1.55%
Eur$ 1.1655 CNH 6.9708 CNY 6.9754 JPY 158.74 GBP 1.3476 CHF 0.7972 RUB 78.3683 TRY 43.1546 WTI$ 59.74 +0.40% Gold 4,598.06 +0.02% BTC 91,399 +0.53% ETH 3,118 +1.07%
S&P -0.06% Nasdaq -0.12% EuroStoxx +0.30% FTSE -0.05% Dax +0.14% SMI -0.11%
Macro :
- Scoop: Bessent told Trump that investigation of Fed chair creates a "mess"
- Trump Administration Close to Finalizing Taiwan Trade Pact
- Trump Says Microsoft Will Make Changes on Data Centers
- Citigroup Sees Gold at $5,000 and Silver at $100 in Bull Market
- Coutts in talks with Apollo and Ares over private markets funds for rich clients
Keep an eye on :
Keep an eye on :
- ABBV US : AbbVie and Trump Administration Reach Agreement
- AGR AV : Agrana 3Q Ebit EU46.4M
- AIR FP : Airbus Delivered 793 Aircraft in 2025, Target Was About 790
- AIR FP : ENGINE SHORTAGES WILL STILL BE A PROBLEM IN 2026: AIRBUS
- AIR FP : Aviation Capital to Order 50 Boeing 737 Max Series Aircraft
- ALV GY : Aware Super Buys Into €2.6 Billion European Mall Platform
- AMS SW : Ams-Osram Says It’s in Advanced Talks to Sell Some Businesses
- AAPL US : Apple, Google Confirm Multiyear Deal for AI Technology, Siri
- MT NA : Italian steel plant demands €7bn in damages from ArcelorMittal
- ARGX BB : Argenx Gets US Priority Review for Vyvgart in AChR-Ab gMG
- BBVA SM : BBVA to Generate €49B in Capital by 2028: Chairman
- BA US : Aviation Capital to Order 50 Boeing 737 Max Series Aircraft
- BC IM : Brunello Cucinelli 4Q Net Revenue Meets Estimates, Brunello Cucinelli Results In-Line, May Reassure: Street Wrap
- CAVA US : Cava Names Doug Thompson COO
- CTY1S FH : Citycon Decides on One-Time Equity Repayment of €0.20/Share
- ACA FP : Credit Agricole Confirms ECB Approval to Boost Banco BPM Stake
- EDF FP : EDF Could IPO Up to 30% of Edison Unit in Milan Exchange: Sole
- GILD US : Gilead Gains During Presentation, Says Yeztugo Guidance Reached
- GOOGL US : Wayfair Partners With Google on AI-Powered Shopping; Shares Rise
- KOMN SW : CFO Christian Maeder to Leave Komax Group End of June
- LEON SW : Leonteq Gets German License Extension From Regulator BaFin
- LISN SW : Lindt & Spruengli FY Sales Meet Estimates
- LLBN SW : LGT and LLB Establish Liechtensteinisches Pfandbriefinstitut
- MAERSKB DC : Maersk Sails Through Red Sea With Another Container Vessel
- MDT US : Medtronic Partners With Neuralink Rival Precision for Brain Tech
- MRK US : Merck Wants to Do More Multi Tens of Billion-Dollar Deals
- META US : Meta Plans to Cut Around 10% of Employees in Reality Labs Business
- ML FP : Michelin Says CEO Florent Menegaux’s Term Renewed for Four Years
- NDX1 GY : Nordex 4Q 2025 Order Intake EU3.18b Vs. EU2.89b Y/y
- NVDA US : Nvidia Says No Upfront Payment Needed for H200 Chips: Reuters
- ONTEX BB : Ontex Accelerates CEO Transition, Launches Strategic Review
- Open AI ; OpenAI Set to Run Another Super Bowl Ad as Chatbot Competition Heats Up -- WSJ
- ORSTED DC : Orsted Wins Ruling to Resume US Wind Project Halted by Trump (3)
- 000660 KS : SK Hynix Plans to Invest $13 Billion in New Chip Packaging Plant
- SN/ LN : Smith & Nephew to Buy Integrity Orthopaedics for Initial $225M
- SN/ LN : Smith & Nephew to Buy Integrity Orthopaedics for Initial $225M
- SECARE SS : Symrise AG to Divest Terpenes and Invest in Swedencare
- SIKA SW : Sika Reports FY Preliminary Sales of CHF11.2B
- SLBD US : Solid Biosciences Gets FDA Orphan Drug Designation for SGT-212
- SZU GY : Suedzucker 9M Operating Profit EU95M Vs. EU236M Y/y
- SY1 GY : Symrise AG to Divest Terpenes and Invest in Swedencare
- TOM2 NA : TomTom and Miovision partner to deliver advanced data analytics for improved traffic signal optimization
- UCB BB : UCB Confirms 2025 Outlook on Strong Performance
- URW FP : Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield Holder Offers 2.2M Shares: Terms
- WBD US : Warner Bros. Says Paramount Yet to Address Deficiencies of Offer