Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Asian stocks climbed sharply on Monday, led by a 2.7% surge in Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index, driven by tech gains after the U.S. announced temporary exemptions on electronics from steep China tariffs. The rebound followed a strong Wall Street session on Friday, supported by Federal Reserve economic assurances and robust U.S. bank earnings.
S&P 500 Futures rose nearly 1% in Asian trading, with major tech firms like Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL), which rely on Chinese manufacturing, expected to benefit. The tariff relief sparked rallies in tech-heavy Asian markets, with South Korea’s KOSPI up 1%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 gaining 1.5%, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index jumping 1.8%—notably due to its heavy electronics export exposure.
Hong Kong-listed tech giants with U.S. export ties saw sharp gains. Lenovo Group (HK:0992) led with a 5.4% rise, while Alibaba (HK:9988), Baidu (HK:9888), and Haier Smart Home (HK:6690) advanced between 4% and 5.5%. However, U.S. President Donald Trump warned the tariff reprieve was temporary, with plans to introduce separate duties on electronics and launch a national security probe into the semiconductor sector. Imports still face a 20% tariff imposed in March.
Mainland Chinese stocks were more subdued, with the Shanghai Composite up 0.8% and the CSI 300 rising 0.5%, as Beijing contends with escalating trade tensions. China recently retaliated with 125% tariffs on U.S. goods and is expected to unveil more stimulus to cushion its economy. Upcoming Chinese GDP data and other key Asian economic indicators remain in focus.
Australia’s ASX 200 added 1.3%, while Japan’s TOPIX also climbed 1.5%. Indian markets were closed for a public holiday. Singapore’s MAS, citing weaker-than-expected growth, eased monetary policy and cut its 2025 inflation outlook.
