Bitcoin Hits $100K Milestone Amid Optimism Over Trump Policies 
Gold Prices Rise as Markets Await Trump’s Policy Announcements 
Gold Hits Record High as Investors Eye Fed Chair Powell’s Speech on Tariffs 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Deutsche Bank Warns of Persistent Inflation Risks in 2025 
UK Markets Face Rising Volatility as Hedge Funds Target Pound and Gilts 
Home ownership is slipping out of reach. It’s time to rethink our fear of ‘forever renting’ 
Bullish Start for S&P 500 Sparks Optimism for 2025, Despite Risks 
Bitcoin Whales Acquire $4.3B in BTC Amid Market Decline, Signaling Potential Bottom 
Trump Administration Plans Major Rollback of Biden-Era Fuel Economy Standards 
South Korea Inflation Edges Up in November as Food and Service Costs Climb 
Tesla, Apple, Nvidia Boost Nasdaq to Record High as Jobs Report Ignites Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
European Stocks Rally on Chinese Growth and Mining Merger Speculation 
Do investment tax breaks work? A new study finds the evidence is ‘mixed at best’ 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Asian markets declined sharply Monday, led by Australian and Hong Kong shares, as robust U.S. payroll data dampened hopes for imminent Federal Reserve rate cuts. Trading volumes in the region were lighter due to Japan’s market holiday.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index dropped significantly, while China’s CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite posted modest losses. Despite better-than-expected December trade data from China, markets saw no boost. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 fell 1.4%, although Insignia Financial Ltd surged nearly 3% following an improved buyout offer from Bain Capital.
Friday’s U.S. jobs report revealed surprising strength, with accelerated job growth and a lower unemployment rate, suggesting the Federal Reserve may maintain current interest rates. The Fed, which cut rates by 100 basis points in 2024, now projects fewer reductions in 2025, given persistent inflation and economic resilience.
ING analysts noted, “Strong U.S. jobs data bolsters the likelihood of an extended pause from the Fed, especially in an inflationary environment.” Goldman Sachs has revised its outlook, expecting only two rate cuts this year instead of three.
Elsewhere in Asia, the Philippines’ PSEi Composite fell over 1%, Singapore’s Straits Times Index slid 0.3%, and South Korea’s KOSPI declined 1% amid domestic political tensions.
Markets are bracing for key U.S. data releases this week, including inflation, retail sales, and industrial production figures. China will also announce critical economic indicators, including GDP growth, industrial production, and retail sales, providing insights into its economic health.
With a busy week ahead, global investors are closely monitoring data to gauge economic momentum and future monetary policy directions.
