South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
Asian Markets End Year on AI Optimism as Precious Metals and Currencies Shine 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Policy Clues in Holiday-Thinned Trade 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Oil Prices Slide in 2025 as Oversupply and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech and Financial Stocks Weigh on Markets Amid Thin Holiday Trading 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
Citi Forecasts a Volatile but Ongoing Bull Market for S&P 500 in 2026 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Asian stock markets advanced on Friday as renewed optimism around artificial intelligence stocks lifted investor sentiment, while the U.S. dollar remained near a six-week high after strong American economic data reduced expectations for imminent interest rate cuts. The MSCI Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan rose 0.5%, hovering close to a record high reached in the previous session, supported by strong earnings from Taiwanese chip giant TSMC that revived confidence in the global AI boom.
The positive momentum followed a newly announced U.S.-Taiwan trade deal that lowers tariffs on several semiconductor exports and channels fresh investment into the U.S. technology sector, a move that could heighten geopolitical tensions with China. Technology and financial stocks also pushed Wall Street higher overnight, with Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures posting modest gains during Asian trading hours.
Market analysts noted that TSMC’s upbeat outlook helped reassure investors concerned about slowing capital expenditure and AI-related spending. While the results did not trigger a major rally, they provided stability to AI-linked equities that had underperformed in recent months. In contrast, Japan’s Nikkei index fell 0.42%, pressured by a modest recovery in the yen after it pulled back from an 18-month low.
In Europe, futures pointed lower, with EUROSTOXX 50 and FTSE futures edging down after European stocks closed at record highs on Thursday. Currency markets reflected continued dollar strength, as the greenback traded near 99.36 against a basket of currencies. The euro hovered near a six-week low, while sterling edged slightly lower.
Strong U.S. labor market data, including a drop in jobless claims, has led traders to scale back bets on Federal Reserve rate cuts. Markets now see a higher probability that rates will remain unchanged in April and June. Meanwhile, oil prices stabilized after sharp losses triggered by easing geopolitical fears surrounding Iran, while gold and silver retreated as safe-haven demand softened.
Overall, global markets remain focused on AI sector performance, central bank policy signals, and geopolitical developments shaping investor risk appetite.
