Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Russian stocks ended lower on Friday, with the MOEX Russia Index slipping 0.75% as declines in the Power, Mining, and Oil & Gas sectors weighed on the market.
Among the top gainers, Polyus PJSC (MCX:PLZL) rose 3.05% to 1,908.00, supported by gold price stability. TATNEFT n.a. V.D. Shashin Pref (MCX:TATN_p) added 1.00% to close at 618.60, while Moskovskiy Kreditnyi Bank PAO (MCX:CBOM) gained 0.99% to 6.93.
On the downside, Severstal PJSC (MCX:CHMF) dropped 2.16% to 1,040.00, and NOVATEK PJSC (MCX:NVTK) also declined 2.16% to 1,050.20. Aluminum giant OK Rusal MKPAO (MCX:RUAL) lost 1.61%, ending at 30.17.
Market breadth showed weakness, with 181 stocks declining versus 58 advancing, and 10 remaining unchanged. The Russian Volatility Index (RVI) rose 2.30% to 31.11, marking its lowest level in six months, signaling increased investor caution.
In commodities, August Gold Futures edged up 0.11% to $3,346.50 per troy ounce, reflecting safe-haven demand. However, oil prices slipped, with August Crude down 0.76% to $66.49 per barrel and September Brent falling 0.42% to $68.51.
Currency markets also moved against the ruble. USD/RUB declined 0.41% to 78.75, while EUR/RUB dropped 0.19% to 92.77. Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar Index Futures dipped 0.18% to 96.65, amid global forex shifts.
Overall, the Russian stock market faced pressure from key commodity-linked sectors, while rising volatility and a strengthening ruble added to the cautious sentiment.
