Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. stock futures edged lower Sunday evening after Wall Street recorded weekly losses, as investor sentiment remained cautious amid trade tensions and a critical earnings week. S&P 500 Futures fell 0.4% to 5,293.25, Nasdaq 100 Futures dropped 0.4% to 18,316.25, and Dow Jones Futures slipped 0.4% to 36,169.0 by 8:08 PM ET.
Market volatility was driven by uncertainty around President Donald Trump’s new tariff measures and escalating trade talks. Recent discussions between the U.S. and Japan showed signs of progress, while China signaled openness to negotiations—contingent on more respectful diplomacy. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also backed continued trade dialogue.
Investors are closely watching first-quarter earnings reports from Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL), and Boeing (NYSE:BA) this week. Tesla will announce results Tuesday as it grapples with global supply chain disruptions and political backlash tied to CEO Elon Musk’s involvement in Trump’s administration. Alphabet reports Thursday amid increased AI activity and advertising scrutiny, while Boeing’s Wednesday results may shed light on how global trade pressures are impacting the aerospace sector.
Last week, UnitedHealth (NYSE:UNH) triggered a major sell-off, plunging 22% after revising its annual profit forecast due to rising medical costs. Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) also spooked tech investors with news of a $5.5 billion Q1 charge linked to U.S. chip export restrictions on China.
Despite the S&P 500 eking out a 0.1% gain Thursday, the Dow dropped 1.3%, and the Nasdaq lost 0.1%. All three major indexes ended the week in the red, with over 2% declines in both the Dow and Nasdaq. Monday’s trading is expected to remain light due to Easter market closures in several regions.
