Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
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 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Asian markets rose on Tuesday, brushing off fresh U.S. tariff threats after President Donald Trump signaled a willingness to negotiate. Despite weak cues from Wall Street, investor sentiment in Asia improved as Trump delayed the start date for new tariffs to August 1 and hinted at ongoing trade discussions.
South Korea’s KOSPI led regional gains, climbing 0.7% thanks to a 2.5% rally in SK Hynix shares, which surged after Samsung Electronics warned of disappointing second-quarter earnings. In contrast, Samsung shares slipped around 1%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 was flat, while the TOPIX edged slightly lower.
Trump unveiled plans for 25% tariffs on goods from South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia, and higher levies on others—Thailand (36%) and Indonesia (32%). However, his comment that the August 1 deadline wasn’t “100% firm” sparked optimism that some countries could reach trade deals with Washington before tariffs take effect.
Malaysian stocks fell 0.7%, while Indonesia's benchmark dipped 0.2%. Still, broader Asian markets gained on hopes of a softer stance. China’s CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite rose 0.3% and 0.2%, respectively. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 0.3%, and Singapore’s Straits Times inched up 0.1%. Indian Gift Nifty 50 Futures also rose 0.1%, boosted by progress on a potential U.S.-India trade agreement.
Australian markets remained cautious ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy decision. The ASX 200 dipped 0.1% as traders awaited a widely expected 25-basis-point rate cut to 3.60%—the third this year. While recent inflation and growth data support easing, Westpac analysts cautioned that a cut is not guaranteed due to global economic uncertainties.
Overall, markets remained resilient as hopes for continued U.S. trade negotiations offered some relief.
