Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Asian stock markets mostly advanced on Wednesday, extending recent gains amid easing concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming trade tariffs. The region tracked Wall Street's modest tech-driven rally, although caution lingered due to weak U.S. consumer confidence and uncertainty over tariff impacts.
Australia’s ASX 200 led regional gains, rising 0.7% after February inflation came in below expectations. The softer CPI reading, alongside recent weak labor data, strengthened bets on further rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia, which meets next week. Although analysts expect the central bank to hold rates steady, many anticipate at least two more cuts this year.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index climbed 0.6%, rebounding from Tuesday’s losses as investors bought into tech stocks following U.S. gains. However, mainland Chinese indexes slipped slightly due to concerns over potential new U.S. trade actions and uncertainty around China’s AI policies and economic stimulus plans.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 and TOPIX added 0.3% and 0.2% respectively but pared early gains after Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda reiterated the need for further rate hikes if economic conditions hold steady. While Japan’s producer inflation cooled slightly, it remained sticky at 3%.
Elsewhere, South Korea’s KOSPI rose 0.6% on strong chip stock performance, mirroring gains in U.S. semiconductor shares. Singapore’s Straits Times index edged up 0.3%, holding near record highs, while India’s Nifty 50 futures hinted at a positive open as its recent rebound tapered off.
U.S. futures rose slightly after Trump suggested he may take a softer approach to tariffs in an interview, offering some reassurance to global investors. Still, markets remained cautious amid a lack of clarity on the final scope of the trade measures.
