Canada Stocks Steady as Markets Await Fed and BoC Decisions 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
U.S. Open to Special Trade Terms for South Africa Under Possible AGOA Extension 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Wall Street Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Decision; Nvidia Gains on China Chip Sales Approval 
Australia’s Business Conditions Ease in November as Capacity Constraints Persist 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Decision; Aussie Dollar Edges Higher 
Australian Dollar Rises as RBA Holds Rates and Signals Persistent Inflation Risks 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Markets Track Ukraine Peace Talks and U.S. Rate Decision 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Global Markets Steady as Yen Holds Firm After Japan Earthquake Amid Central Bank Focus 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Most Asian stocks edged higher on Wednesday, led by strong gains in Chinese markets after news of upcoming U.S.-China trade talks boosted hopes for easing trade tensions. The Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 indexes each rose 0.5%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng surged 1.5%, outperforming regional peers.
The positive momentum followed confirmation that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will meet Chinese officials in Switzerland this week. This marks the most concrete step toward deescalation since the trade war intensified in April, although steep tariffs on both sides remain in place. Investor sentiment was also supported by the People’s Bank of China’s move to cut banks’ reserve requirements, signaling more stimulus for the economy.
Despite overnight losses on Wall Street, U.S. stock index futures rebounded in Asian trading, with S&P 500 Futures up 0.6%, driven by optimism over renewed trade dialogue. However, markets remained cautious ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision later in the day, with expectations of steady interest rates and no immediate policy changes.
Indian markets were in focus after military tensions with Pakistan escalated. Despite the conflict, Gift Nifty 50 Futures rose 0.5%, pointing to a resilient open. India claimed strikes on terrorist camps, while Pakistan reported retaliatory actions, including the downing of five Indian aircraft.
Elsewhere in Asia, broader markets saw modest gains. Japan’s Nikkei 225 and TOPIX rose 0.3% and 0.4%, respectively. South Korea’s KOSPI added 0.4%, and Australia’s ASX 200 gained 0.2%. However, Singapore’s Straits Times Index slipped 0.2%, dragged down by United Overseas Bank after disappointing earnings.
Overall, trade optimism and monetary easing supported Asian equities, despite lingering geopolitical and economic risks.
