Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian stock markets surged Tuesday following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a potential ceasefire between Israel and Iran, boosting investor confidence and risk appetite. South Korea’s KOSPI index led regional gains, jumping 2.5% as shares of Samsung Electronics rose 3.5%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index followed with a 1.8% increase, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed nearly 1%, and the TOPIX rose 0.8%.
Trump revealed the tentative ceasefire through a post on Truth Social, outlining a staged plan starting with a 12-hour pause from Iran, followed by a similar move from Israel, leading to a potential end to hostilities within 24 hours. The announcement came just days after U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and Tehran’s retaliatory missile attack on a U.S. base in Qatar. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that no ceasefire had been finalized.
Despite the uncertainty, markets responded positively. China’s Shanghai Composite rose 0.9%, while the CSI 300 gained 1.1%. Southeast Asian markets also advanced, with Singapore’s Straits Times Index up 0.5%, Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite surging over 2%, and the Philippines’ PSEi rallying 2%. India’s Nifty 50 Futures were also up 1% during Asian hours.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 1%, supported by strong corporate news. Rio Tinto and Hancock Prospecting announced a joint A$2.4 billion (US$1.61 billion) investment in the Hope Downs 2 iron ore project in Western Australia. Each firm will invest US$800 million, with expected annual output of 31 million tonnes by 2027. Rio Tinto’s shares rose on the news, contributing to broader market optimism.
