Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Asian markets fell on Tuesday as investors reacted to the U.S.-EU trade deal, which introduced steep tariffs likely to weigh on global growth and inflation. Relief from avoiding harsher measures faded when Europe’s new 15% levy was compared to the previous 1–2% rates before President Donald Trump took office.
European leaders, including those in France and Germany, warned the higher tariffs would drag on growth, sending regional stocks and bond yields lower and pressuring the euro. The common currency slid 1.3% overnight to $1.1592, its steepest drop since May, with support seen at $1.1556. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index rose to 98.674, with gains against the yen at 148.63.
Trump further signaled plans for a “world tariff” of 15–20% on non-deal trading partners, potentially the highest rates since the 1930s. JPMorgan economists called the shift a “big shock” to global trade, warning recession risks remain elevated at 40%.
Oil prices extended gains after Trump set a 10–12 day deadline for Russia to progress on ending the Ukraine war or face tougher sanctions. Brent crude held at $70.10 a barrel, while U.S. crude stayed at $66.73.
MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan dropped 0.7%, Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.8%, and Chinese blue chips dipped 0.1%. European futures steadied, with EUROSTOXX 50 up 0.2%. U.S. futures rose modestly ahead of earnings from Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon.
Treasury yields hovered at 4.408% as markets priced in a 97% chance the Federal Reserve will hold rates steady at 4.25–4.5% this week. Attention turns to upcoming U.S. data, including GDP, job openings, and payrolls, which could influence September rate cut expectations. Gold remained flat at $3,316 an ounce.
