Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Australian Dollar Rises as RBA Holds Rates and Signals Persistent Inflation Risks 
ECB Signals Steady Rates Ahead as Policymakers Warn of Inflation Risks 
Australia’s Business Conditions Ease in November as Capacity Constraints Persist 
Oil Prices Hold Near Two-Week Highs as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut and Monitor Geopolitical Risks 
Silver Prices Surge to New Record Above $60 as Supply Concerns and Fed Expectations Boost Demand 
U.S. Defense Bill Sets Record $901 Billion Budget, Includes Ukraine Aid 
Global Currencies Steady Ahead of Key Central Bank Decisions 
Asian Markets Slip as Investors Brace for Fed Rate Cut and Global Policy Decisions 
Holiday Economic Questions: What Bank of America Says You Should Expect 
UK Job Market Shows Persistent Weakness Ahead of November Budget 
RBA Holds Rates but Warns of Rising Inflation Pressures 
U.S. Open to Special Trade Terms for South Africa Under Possible AGOA Extension 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Decision; Aussie Dollar Edges Higher 
China Warns of Rising Global Risks as Tariff Pressures Intensify in 2025 
Asian markets mostly rose on Tuesday as investors welcomed a significant cooling in the U.S.-China trade war. The U.S. and China announced mutual tariff cuts—Washington reducing its levies from 145% to 30%, and Beijing from 125% to 10%—sparking optimism for broader trade resolutions and lifting regional sentiment.
Japan led the rally, with the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX gaining 1.7% and 1.2% respectively. Singapore’s Straits Times and Australia’s ASX 200 each advanced 0.7%, with the latter hitting a two-month high on improved consumer sentiment. South Korea’s KOSPI rose 0.4%, and other Southeast Asian markets followed suit.
However, Chinese stocks underperformed despite the positive trade development. The Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 inched up just 0.2%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 1.3%, weighed down by profit-taking and skepticism over further local stimulus. Analysts from Citi suggested easing trade tensions may reduce Beijing’s urgency for additional fiscal measures. Recent weak inflation and PMI data also dampened investor enthusiasm in China.
Meanwhile, Indian stocks are expected to see a mild pullback after surging nearly 4% on news of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Pakistan, easing the region’s most intense conflict in decades. Gift Nifty 50 Futures hinted at a softer open ahead of India’s consumer inflation report, which is anticipated to show further easing for April.
Market focus now shifts to U.S. inflation data due later in the day, which could influence the global risk outlook and further shape expectations on monetary policy and trade negotiations. The S&P 500 Futures edged down 0.3% in Asian trade after a strong 3.3% rally on Monday.
