Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Most Asian stock markets advanced Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates and signaled further easing, boosting investor sentiment across the region.
The Fed reduced its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 4.00–4.25%, its first cut since December, and projected two more reductions this year. Chair Jerome Powell said the move was aimed at “managing risks” amid signs of a softer U.S. labor market. Traders raised bets that U.S. rates could fall below 3.5% by 2026, fueling global risk appetite.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 1.2% to a record 45,296.21, supported by technology and energy shares, while the broader TOPIX rose 0.6%. A weaker yen also lifted exporter stocks. South Korea’s KOSPI gained 1%, led by chip giants SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics, amid renewed AI optimism.
In China, the Shanghai Composite advanced 0.5% to a decade-high, while the CSI 300 added 0.3%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was flat after sharp gains earlier in the week. Reports that Beijing directed domestic firms to halt Nvidia AI chip purchases weighed on sentiment.
Elsewhere, Singapore’s Straits Times Index edged up 0.2%, and India’s Nifty 50 futures rose 0.2% ahead of market open.
Bucking the regional trend, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.7%, dragged by steep losses in the mining sector. Data showed employment fell by 5,400 in August, with a sharp drop in full-time jobs, reinforcing expectations of further Reserve Bank of Australia rate cuts.
New Zealand’s NZX 50 slipped nearly 1% after GDP shrank 0.9% in Q2, far worse than forecasts. Annual GDP contracted 0.6%, increasing pressure on the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to accelerate easing.
