Global Market Today: Asian stocks extend rally to record, gold falls

Economic Data and Market Reactions - The upcoming US jobs report is expected to show payrolls rose by 69,000 in January, with the unemployment rate remaining steady at 4.4% [8][11] - Historical revisions are anticipated to indicate a significant downward adjustment to payrolls for the year through March 2025 [8][11] - Traders are preparing for key economic data that may influence expectations for the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions [2][9] Stock Market and Investment Trends - Recent gains in stocks suggest easing concerns regarding the AI sector, which had previously affected software companies and high-spending tech firms [2][10] - Alphabet Inc. plans to raise $20 billion from a US dollar bond offering, surpassing the expected $15 billion, and is also targeting sales in Switzerland and the UK, including a rare 100-year bond [5][11] - Asian equities have risen, with the Nikkei 225 Index hitting a new record, driven by a recovery in US tech stocks following last week's selloff [10] Interest Rate Expectations - Traders broadly expect the Federal Reserve to maintain interest rates at 3.5% to 3.75% during the next meeting, similar to the decision made in January [9][11] - Analysts suggest that a stabilizing labor market, characterized by modest hiring and limited layoffs, could lead the Fed to consider cutting rates once or twice this year if inflation pressures continue to ease [10]