South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Asian shares edged higher on Wednesday, rounding off a strong finish to 2025 as artificial intelligence-driven optimism continued to fuel global equity markets. The positive momentum followed an overnight rally on Wall Street, where the S&P 500 closed at a fresh record, signaling the long-awaited Santa Claus rally had finally taken hold despite thin year-end liquidity.
Investor sentiment was supported by robust U.S. economic data showing the economy expanded much faster than expected in the third quarter. While the data lifted risk assets such as stocks, it put pressure on bonds, contributing to shifts across global asset classes.
Commodities remained the standout performers. Gold prices surged to another all-time high, with spot gold climbing 0.8% to $4,524 per ounce, marking an extraordinary 72% gain for the year. Silver also extended its bullish run, jumping 1.2% to a record $72.27 per ounce and posting an annual increase of nearly 150%, making it one of the best-performing assets of 2025. The rally in precious metals reflects strong demand driven by inflation hedging, central bank buying, and sustained investor interest.
Across Asian equity markets, MSCI’s broad Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan rose 0.3% and ended the year up 26%, its strongest annual performance since 2017. Japan’s Nikkei advanced 0.4% on the day and also gained 26% for the year, while South Korea emerged as the regional outperformer with a remarkable 72% annual surge, supported by technology and semiconductor stocks.
In currency markets, the Japanese yen strengthened for a third consecutive session amid renewed speculation of potential intervention by Japanese authorities. The U.S. dollar weakened to 155.78 yen, retreating from levels that previously triggered action. The euro held steady near $1.18 after climbing 14% this year, while the dollar was down roughly 10% against major peers in 2025.
U.S. Treasury yields reflected expectations of continued Federal Reserve rate cuts, with the two-year yield down sharply for the year and the 10-year yield also ending lower. Meanwhile, oil prices were largely unchanged in early trading but remained on track for a third straight annual decline, underscoring ongoing concerns about global demand.
