Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
South Korea Posts Stronger-Than-Expected 1.3% Economic Growth in Q3 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Japan’s Service Sector Sustains Growth Momentum in November 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Oil Prices Slip as Russia-Ukraine Peace Hopes Fade and Oversupply Fears Grow 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
U.S. Soybean Shipments to China Gain Momentum as Trade Tensions Ease 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian stocks climbed on Tuesday, supported by optimism that the U.S. government shutdown may soon end. The relief rally followed a strong overnight performance on Wall Street and a sharp jump in gold prices.
Gold soared nearly 3%, trading above $4,100 in the Asian session, while the Nasdaq surged 2.3%, rebounding from last week’s losses caused by concerns over AI company valuations and profitability. South Korea’s Kospi gained 1.3%, and Japan’s Nikkei rose 0.4%, recovering from prior declines. However, Hong Kong and mainland Chinese markets edged slightly lower by mid-morning. S&P 500 futures remained steady.
Investor sentiment improved after the U.S. Senate approved a deal to restore federal funding, potentially ending the nation’s longest shutdown. The bill now heads to the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson aims for a Wednesday vote before sending it to President Donald Trump. Prediction markets, including Polymarket, have almost fully priced in a government reopening by week’s end.
Vasu Menon, managing director for investment strategy at OCBC in Singapore, noted that markets were “breathing a sigh of relief” as the shutdown nears resolution. He added that the return of economic data publication could pave the way for potential U.S. interest rate cuts, boosting gold demand further.
On Wall Street, the S&P 500 jumped 1.54%, its biggest one-day gain since October, while the Nasdaq logged its strongest session since May. Meanwhile, the yen weakened to 154.49 per dollar — its lowest level since February — as traders shifted toward riskier assets.
U.S. Treasury yields briefly hit 4.147% before easing to 4.11%. ANZ strategist Jack Chambers said markets had anticipated the shutdown’s end, minimizing long-term rate impacts.
