Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Russian stocks closed lower on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index dropping 2.80%, weighed down by sharp declines in the Mining, Oil & Gas, and Telecom sectors.
Among the top gainers, PIK SHb PJSC (MCX:PIKK) rose 1.43% to 448.30, while Polyus PJSC (MCX:PLZL) added 1.03% to 1,719.40. ROSSETI PJSC (MCX:FEES) was flat but notched a slight gain of 0.94%, closing at 0.07.
On the downside, ADS Ozon Holdings PLC (MCX:OZONDR) plunged 5.59% to 3,540.00, making it the worst performer of the session. TATNEFT (MCX:TATN) slipped 0.03% to 698.70, and Bank VTB PJSC (MCX:VTBR) edged down 0.01% to 96.59.
Despite the losses, advancing stocks outnumbered decliners by a margin of 86 to 13 on the Moscow Stock Exchange. The Russian Volatility Index (RVI), a gauge of market uncertainty based on MOEX options, rose 0.72% to 47.52.
In commodities, June Gold Futures climbed 0.66% to $3,257.00 per troy ounce, signaling continued demand for safe-haven assets. However, oil prices declined, with June Crude Oil Futures falling 1.60% to $58.29 per barrel, and July Brent Crude dropping 1.35% to $61.29.
On the currency front, the ruble weakened against major peers. USD/RUB rose 0.91% to 82.75, and EUR/RUB gained 0.94% to 93.47. Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar Index Futures dipped 0.21% to 99.84, reflecting modest greenback softness.
This decline in Russia’s benchmark index reflects broader investor caution amid commodity price shifts and currency volatility.
