Australia’s Business Conditions Ease in November as Capacity Constraints Persist 
U.S. Stock Futures Hold Steady Ahead of Key Fed Decision 
ECB Signals Steady Rates Ahead as Policymakers Warn of Inflation Risks 
Holiday Economic Questions: What Bank of America Says You Should Expect 
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 
Gold Prices Inch Higher as Fed Rate-Cut Expectations Strengthen 
U.S.-Indonesia Trade Deal Faces Uncertainty as Jakarta Reconsiders Key Commitments 
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 
Global Markets Steady as Yen Holds Firm After Japan Earthquake Amid Central Bank Focus 
Australian Dollar Rises as RBA Holds Rates and Signals Persistent Inflation Risks 
Stocks Slip as Investors Brace for Fed Decision and JPMorgan Warning Weighs on Markets 
Asian Markets Slip as Investors Brace for Fed Rate Cut and Global Policy Decisions 
Global Forex Markets Brace for Fed Decision as Yen Extends Weakness 
U.S. Economic Outlook 2026: Growth Seen Strengthening as Fiscal Support Ramps Up 
Japan’s Q3 Economic Contraction Deepens as Revised Data Signals Stronger Headwinds 
Asian stock markets were mixed on Wednesday, with Hong Kong and South Korea extending gains driven by Wall Street’s tech rally, while Japan lagged due to a stronger yen and rising interest rate expectations.
The Hang Seng Index rose over 1%, supported by surging Chinese tech stocks like Alibaba and Tencent, following a bullish session for U.S. tech. South Korea’s KOSPI also jumped 1.5%, led by chip giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, after NVIDIA announced a major AI chip deal with Saudi Arabia’s Humain, boosting investor sentiment in the semiconductor space.
However, broader market momentum appeared to fade as enthusiasm over the recent U.S.-China tariff truce cooled. U.S. and China agreed to temporarily cut tariffs — Washington reducing duties from 145% to 30%, and Beijing lowering its rate from 125% to 10% — but investors remain cautious about the next phase of negotiations.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.8% and the broader Topix lost over 1% as a strengthening yen weighed on exporters. The Japanese currency rose on renewed expectations of a Bank of Japan rate hike, especially after April wholesale inflation climbed to 4.0%. The BOJ is scheduled to meet on May 19–20 to decide on interest rate policy.
China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 were flat, with reduced hopes for further government stimulus amid easing trade tensions. Elsewhere in Asia, Australia’s ASX 200 dipped 0.1%, Singapore’s STI slid 0.3%, and Indian Nifty 50 futures were steady amid geopolitical concerns with Pakistan.
Despite signs of cooling inflation in the U.S., global markets remain cautious ahead of key central bank meetings and trade developments.
