Today’s Outlook :
• US MARKET : Wall Street closed higher on Tuesday, supported by a rebound in technology stocks after the recent AI-driven sell-off was deemed overdone. The S&P 500 rose 0.8% to 6,890.11, the NASDAQ Composite climbed nearly 1.1% to 22,863.68, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.8% to 49,174.81. Chipmakers led the gains, with AMD surging nearly 9%.
Market sentiment was further supported by stabilization in the software sector, although policy uncertainty continues to loom. Investor focus is now firmly on the upcoming quarterly earnings release from NVIDIA Corporation, scheduled after Wednesday’s market close, which is widely viewed as a key bellwether for the AI industry and global semiconductor demand.
On the political front, media reports suggest President Trump is likely to emphasize U.S. economic strength and his administration’s achievements in an upcoming address. However, uncertainty increased after the Supreme Court ruled that a large portion of Trump’s tariffs exceeded his authority. In response, Trump announced new tariffs under a different legal framework, albeit at a lower rate than the initially proposed 15%. Public approval of his economic handling remains weak, particularly regarding persistently high living costs.
• EUROPEAN MARKET : European equities traded mixed around flat levels on Tuesday as investors adjusted to the new global trade environment following the implementation of U.S. tariffs. Germany’s DAX edged up 0.1%, France’s CAC 40 gained 0.3%, while the UK’s FTSE 100 slipped 0.1%
According to Bank of America, fourth-quarter earnings across Europe have come in slightly better than expected, though the overall outlook remains fragile. With more than half of STOXX 600 constituents having reported, yearon-year earnings per share growth stands at around 2%, contrasting with earlier consensus expectations for a decline. Nonetheless, markets continue to impose sharp penalties on companies that miss estimates.
• ASIAN MARKET : Most Asian equities closed higher on Tuesday, supported by the return of Chinese markets from the Lunar New Year holiday in relatively strong condition. Expectations of lower U.S. trade tariffs on Asian economies also lifted sentiment, particularly among export-oriented sectors in Japan and South Korea.
However, Hong Kong equities faced sharp pressure amid persistent concerns over AI-driven disruption in the technology sector. In South Korea, the KOSPI jumped 1.6% to a record high, driven by rallies in exporters and chipmakers. Shares of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix Inc reached new highs on expectations that surging AI-related demand will significantly boost revenues. SK Hynix management also reaffirmed its commitment to further expanding memory chip production capacity.
• COMMODITIES : OIL : Global oil prices fell around 1% on Tuesday after Iran stated it was prepared to take the necessary steps to reach a nuclear deal with the United States. The statement followed weeks of increased U.S. military presence in the Middle East. Brent crude settled at USD 70.77 per barrel, while WTI declined to USD 65.63 per barrel. The U.S. and Iran are scheduled to hold a third round of nuclear talks later this week, with a focus on easing geopolitical tensions.
GOLD: Gold prices retreated on Tuesday after four consecutive sessions of gains. The pullback was driven by profit-taking and a firmer U.S. dollar amid renewed concerns over U.S. trade policy. Spot gold fell 1.2% to USD 5,165.82 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures declined 0.8%. Despite the correction, gold remains near its highest level since late January, reflecting sustained demand for safe-haven assets.
• INDONESIA : The JCI extended its correction, falling 1.37% to 8,290.83, weighed down by declines in several commodity-related and conglomerate stocks. Investors are advised to adopt a buy-on-weakness strategy for commodity-sector stocks, which are expected to remain a key trading theme throughout the year—particularly oil, gold, and nickel. Caution remains essential amid heightened volatility, with tight stop-loss and trailing stop strategies recommended.
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