Spot gold fell below $5,140 per ounce, down 1.68% on the day.

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama declined to comment on reports that U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessenter led the January interest rate check.

US Dollar: 1. Trump's 10% global tariffs take effect. 2. US President Trump: Any country that tries to "play tricks" on the Supreme Court ruling will face higher tariffs with more severe consequences; as president, I no longer need to go back to Congress for tariff approval. 3. Federal Reserve Governor Waller: My stance on whether to cut rates in March or keep rates unchanged is like a "coin toss," which will heavily depend on February's employment data. Weak February employment data will support a rate cut; stronger-than-expected January employment data, if continued in February, may be appropriate to keep rates unchanged. 4. European Central Bank President Lagarde: The biggest challenge facing Federal Reserve Chair nominee Warsh will be focusing on his responsibilities at the Fed. 5. Acting Director of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Political accusations of "data manipulation" are baseless. Japanese Yen: 1. According to Nikkei, citing US sources: Japan and the US considered joint intervention in the foreign exchange market in January. 2. When asked about a Nikkei report regarding the US-led yen exchange rate inquiry in January, Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama stated that Japan has maintained close dialogue with the US. Other: 1. ECB President Christine Lagarde: Inflation and policy are in good shape. The ECB will decide policy on a meeting-by-meeting basis and must remain flexible. 2. Morgan Stanley: The Swiss franc is the safe-haven currency most similar to gold and is expected to surge 17% against the US dollar. 3. The Bank of Israel kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 4%, stating that Israel's risk premium has risen slightly. 4. A Reuters poll: The Bank of Korea expects its benchmark interest rate to remain at 2.50% throughout 2026 (the same as in the January survey). 34 economists expect the bank to keep its benchmark interest rate at 2.50% on February 26. 5. Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee member Taylor: We are approaching the neutral interest rate level, but have not yet reached it. Two to three more rate cuts are needed before reaching the neutral rate.