Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Eases Supply Concerns 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
German Auto Suppliers Turn Bearish as Investment and Jobs Shift Overseas 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
Asian Currencies Stabilize as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High After Fed Hawkish Signal 
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.
