South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
U.S. stock futures moved modestly higher on Thursday evening following the Christmas holiday, as subdued activity and thin trading volumes continued to shape market behavior ahead of a shortened New Year’s trading week. With many global markets closed or operating at reduced capacity, investors largely stayed on the sidelines, keeping futures within a narrow range.
S&P 500 futures rose about 0.1% to hover near 6,987 points, while Nasdaq 100 futures also climbed roughly 0.1% to around 25,908 points. Dow Jones futures followed the same trend, gaining 0.1% to trade close to 49,057 points. U.S. equity markets were closed on Thursday for Christmas Day after an early close on Wednesday, a schedule that typically results in lighter volumes and muted price action.
Market participants noted that many institutional trading desks remain lightly staffed, and several major markets across Europe and Asia are also observing holidays. This combination has reduced liquidity and limited volatility, contributing to the cautious tone in U.S. stock index futures. Despite the quiet trading environment, broader sentiment remains constructive.
Earlier in the week, the S&P 500 notched a fresh record closing high, supported by optimism surrounding robust U.S. economic data. Third-quarter gross domestic product growth came in at an annualized rate of 4.3%, the fastest pace in two years, reinforcing confidence in the resilience of the U.S. economy. Strong economic growth has helped offset concerns about tighter financial conditions and supported risk appetite across equities.
Additional tailwinds have come from renewed enthusiasm for technology and artificial intelligence-related stocks, which continue to attract investor interest. Speculation that the Federal Reserve could begin cutting interest rates in 2026 has also underpinned equity sentiment, particularly for growth-oriented sectors.
As markets prepare to return to a full trading schedule on Friday, investors will keep an eye on incoming economic data, year-end positioning, and seasonal patterns. Historically light volumes and the possibility of a late-December “Santa Claus rally” may continue to influence price movements as the year draws to a close.
