Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Oil Prices Slip as Russia-Ukraine Peace Hopes Fade and Oversupply Fears Grow 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
South Korea Posts Stronger-Than-Expected 1.3% Economic Growth in Q3 
Japan’s Service Sector Sustains Growth Momentum in November 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Rise as Geopolitical Tensions and Supply Risks Intensify 
U.S. Cyber Monday Online Sales Surge Past $9.1 Billion as Holiday Shopping Momentum Builds 
Tech Stocks Lift S&P 500 as Fed Rate-Cut Expectations Rise 
Trump Administration Plans Major Rollback of Biden-Era Fuel Economy Standards 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Dollar Slips as Weak U.S. Manufacturing Data Increases Pressure for Fed Rate Cuts 
Asian stock markets saw mostly positive movement on Tuesday, supported by a strong rebound in global technology shares and rising optimism that the U.S. Federal Reserve could cut interest rates in December. While the overall market tone improved, gains were somewhat limited due to geopolitical tensions and lingering fiscal concerns in key economies.
The upbeat sentiment followed a tech-driven rally on Wall Street, fueled by renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence. Investors grew more confident after U.S. tech peers surged overnight, especially as markets increasingly priced in a potential Fed rate cut later this year. S&P 500 futures were steady during Asian trading hours, with traders awaiting delayed U.S. economic data for further direction.
Technology-heavy markets led regional performance. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index climbed 1.2%, boosted by strong buying in major internet and AI-related stocks. Alibaba Group gained nearly 3% ahead of its earnings release, supported by momentum from its Qwen AI app, which recorded over 10 million downloads in its first week. South Korea’s KOSPI rose 0.9%, helped by bargain hunting after tech valuations were pressured by recent doubts surrounding the AI-driven rally. Mainland Chinese indexes also advanced, with the CSI 300 up 1.4% and the Shanghai Composite gaining 1.2% as local chip and tech names rebounded.
In contrast, Japanese stocks underperformed. The Nikkei 225 added 0.6%, while the TOPIX was flat as concerns over Japan’s fiscal stability weighed on investor sentiment. Rising political tension between China and Japan added pressure, particularly on travel and tourism shares. Airlines such as ANA Holdings and Japan Airlines declined after thousands of Chinese tourists reportedly canceled Japan-bound flights, dragging Chinese airline stocks lower as well.
Elsewhere, Australia’s ASX 200 and Singapore's Straits Times index posted slight declines. India’s Nifty 50 futures indicated a muted open after the benchmark slipped below 26,000 in the previous session.
