HONG KONG, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Oil and precious metals slid Thursday after US President Donald Trump appeared to dial down threats of imminent military action on Iran, while Asian markets were mixed after Wall Street edged lower the previous day. Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei, Wellington, Mumbai and Kuala Lumpur fell on Thursday, while Sydney, Seoul, Bangkok and Manila posted minimal gains. The mixed picture in Asia came after Wall Street stocks fell again Wednesday as investors shrugged off solid bank earnings and US data, which showed a 0.6 percent increase in retail sales in November. Analysts noted investor unease about possible US inverventions in Iran and Greenland, and Trump's threats to Federal Reserve autonomy, most recently in the Department of Justice's criminal probe of the central bank. Meanwhile, the US Supreme Court held off a widely-anticipated ruling Wednesday on the legality of Trump's sweeping tariffs.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 15, 2026 04:20 UTC