Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Asian markets started the week strong, buoyed by a weaker dollar, China's ongoing recovery, and a shift from U.S.-centric trades. Japan's Q4 GDP data, expected to show 1.0% annualized growth, is a key focus, with business investment offsetting weak consumption.
The dollar hit a two-month low due to delays in U.S. tariff implementations, marking its longest losing streak since August. Emerging market currencies are rising against the greenback, except for the Indian rupee. The MSCI Asia ex-Japan index surged 8% over the past month, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng jumped 20%, and its tech index soared 30%.
China's tech giants Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent, and Xiaomi (BATX) have gained 22% since Trump's inauguration, outperforming America's 'Magnificent Seven,' which remained flat. Analysts highlight that BATX's $1 trillion market cap pales in comparison to the Mag Seven's $17 trillion, indicating potential growth if China continues excelling in AI.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co and Broadcom are reportedly exploring deals that could split Intel, further shaking up the global chip industry. Geopolitical tensions in the Russia-Ukraine war remain in focus as French President Macron hosts an emergency European summit, with peace talks seemingly limited to the U.S. and Russia. Prospects of peace are driving oil and the dollar lower while boosting European and Asian stocks.
Key upcoming data include Japan and Thailand's Q4 GDP figures, which could further influence market trends. Investors are keenly watching these developments as Asian markets continue their upward trajectory.
