Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
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.
