**Global Market Brief – January 29, 2026** **📉 Equities: Global Caution & India Correction** Global markets remain subdued following the US Federal Reserve's decision to leave interest rates unchanged. The lack of clarity on future rate cuts has tempered investor risk appetite. * **US Markets:** Wall Street closed mixed; **Nasdaq** edged marginally higher on tech gains, while the **S&P 500** remained flat. * **Indian Markets:** Sharp correction today. **Nifty 50** slipped below 25,200, trading at **25,182** (-0.63%), while **Sensex** plunged over 500 points to **81,780**. * **Key Drivers:** Profit-booking ahead of the Union Budget and weak global cues outweighed optimism from the newly concluded **India-EU Free Trade Agreement**. **🪙 Crypto: Bearish Momentum** Digital assets faced selling pressure as the Fed's rate pause curbed risk-taking. * **Bitcoin (BTC):** Struggling to hold support, trading near **$87,821** (down ~1%). * **Ethereum (ETH):** Slid 2% amid broader altcoin weakness. * **Market Cap:** Global crypto valuation dipped 1.1% to **$2.98 trillion**. **🛢️ Commodities: Gold Hits Record Highs** Safe-haven demand is surging due to geopolitical uncertainty and dollar weakness. * **Gold:** Extended its record-breaking rally, crossing **$5,500 per ounce**. * **Oil:** **Brent Crude** trading around **$69.74** per barrel, showing slight recovery but remaining range-bound. **📰 Key Economic Developments** * **India-EU FTA:** The "Mother of All Deals" has been finalized, promising zero-duty access for 99% of Indian exports to the EU. * **Fed Policy:** Interest rates held steady (3.50%–3.75% range), with inflation concerns persisting. * **Corporate Earnings:** Major Indian firms like **Adani Power** (profit down 19%) and **Asian Paints** (profit down ~5%) reported weak Q3 numbers, dragging sentiment.