Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian Markets Rebound as Tech Rally Lifts Wall Street, Investors Brace for BOJ Rate Hike 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip After CPI-Fueled Rally as Markets Weigh Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Asian stock markets climbed on Friday, led by Japan’s Nikkei 225, amid renewed global trade optimism after the United States and United Kingdom reached a trade deal framework. The agreement retained a 10% U.S. tariff on British goods, while the UK slashed tariffs on U.S. imports from 5.1% to 1.8%. The deal also exempts steel and aluminum imports from Trump’s 25% tariffs, further fueling risk appetite in regional equities.
President Trump hinted at upcoming trade negotiations with China, with talks set to begin over the weekend. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also noted that the administration plans to announce multiple new trade deals while maintaining a baseline 10% tariff.
The Nikkei 225 jumped 1.5%, supported by a weaker yen, while the broader TOPIX index added 1.3%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.5%, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index gained 0.6%. The Philippines’ PSEi advanced 1.2%, benefiting from improved regional sentiment.
South Korea’s KOSPI was little changed, and India’s Nifty 50 futures inched up 0.2% despite rising geopolitical tensions with Pakistan. India reported intercepting drone and missile attacks in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur.
In contrast, Chinese stocks fell as trade data showed mixed results. The Shanghai Composite slipped 0.3%, and the CSI 300 declined 0.4%. While exports rose 8.1% year-on-year—well above forecasts—import declines narrowed to 0.2%, beating expectations of a steeper drop. The data pointed to resilient domestic and external demand amid tariff headwinds.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 0.4%. Market participants now await China’s April CPI inflation figures, due Saturday, for further economic cues.
Global investors remained cautiously optimistic as Wall Street gains and easing trade tensions supported Asian markets.
