South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
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 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian stock markets traded mixed on Wednesday amid rising geopolitical tensions and investor caution ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index led regional losses, falling over 1% as risk sentiment weakened due to escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Both nations exchanged missile strikes for a sixth consecutive day, with concerns intensifying after reports that U.S. President Donald Trump was considering military options against Tehran.
Trump’s comments demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and asserting U.S. air superiority further rattled investors, contributing to a cautious market tone across Asia. Chinese markets also declined, with the Shanghai Composite down 0.5% and the CSI 300 shedding 0.4%. Singapore’s Straits Times Index dipped 0.5%, while Indonesia’s benchmark index slipped 0.1%. Australia’s ASX 200 and India’s Nifty 50 Futures remained largely flat.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 bucked the trend, gaining 0.7% to reach a four-month high, supported by a weaker yen amid surging oil prices. The broader TOPIX index rose 0.5%. Despite the gains, Japan’s trade data revealed a 1.7% drop in exports for May, marking the first annual decline in nine months. Exports to the U.S. plummeted 11.1%, reflecting the impact of steep U.S. tariffs on Japanese vehicles and industrial goods.
South Korea’s KOSPI also outperformed, rising 0.7%. Meanwhile, U.S. stock futures hovered in a narrow range, with investors awaiting signals from the Federal Reserve. While no rate hike is expected, market participants will closely watch for policy guidance and updated economic forecasts amid signs of slowing retail sales and growing recession concerns.
The overall market mood remained cautious, shaped by geopolitical uncertainty and macroeconomic headwinds.
