𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗨.𝗦. 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗳 𝗨𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗕𝗜’𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗶 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿’𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗿 – 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗲𝗯 𝟬𝟳, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 • Global markets remained highly sensitive to rapid developments throughout the week, as the impact of the U.S. tariff war persisted, while Indian markets digested the central bank’s first rate cut in five years, aimed at boosting liquidity. • 📈 Nifty 50 (+0.22%) and 📈 Sensex 30 (+0.46%) remained subdued as the RBI’s much-anticipated 25 bps rate cut to 6.25% failed to impress the market. Investors were expecting additional liquidity measures, such as a reduction in banks' cash reserve ratio (CRR). Foreign outflows surged in January, with FPIs offloading approximately $9 billion worth of domestic equities—the second-highest monthly outflow—led by the financial sector, which lost about $3 billion. • 📈 S&P 500 (+0.20%) and 📈 Nasdaq (+0.56%) edged higher after President Trump announced a one-month delay in tariffs on Canada and Mexico, raising hopes for a trade breakthrough with China. However, the ongoing tariff war dampened expectations of imminent Fed rate cuts. Investors now await key U.S. payroll data for further market direction. • 📉 Nikkei (-1.8%) declined as the IMF flagged concerns over Japan’s rising debt servicing costs, which are projected to double by 2030. Meanwhile, the country’s service sector activity expanded for a third consecutive month, with the PMI rising to 53.0 in January from 50.9 in December—the highest level since September. Household spending also grew for the first time in months, increasing by 2.7% in December. • 🪙 Gold (+2.96%) surged, set for a weekly gain amid trade war-fueled demand, as investors flocked to the safe-haven asset while monitoring U.S.-China trade tensions and upcoming U.S. payroll data for future Fed rate cut bets. • 📈 Indian 10-year yield settled at 6.80% (down 4.8 bps for the month), while the U.S. 10-year yield climbed to 4.43% (down 25.3 bps). • 💱 USD-INR at 87.43 hit another record low amid sustained pressure on the currency. The RBI’s first rate cut in five years further exacerbated the decline. • 🛢 Brent Crude at $74.90 remained on track for a third consecutive weekly decline, weighed down by U.S. President Trump's escalating trade war with China and threats of further tariff hikes on other nations, raising concerns over weaker global demand. Until next time, 👋 bye! 🌟