Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Asian stocks eased on Friday, retreating from record highs as investors booked profits ahead of a critical week marked by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff deadline and key central bank meetings. The dollar strengthened against the yen after rebounding from a two-week low, supported by firm U.S. economic data, while Japan’s currency weakened amid political uncertainty following reports Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba may resign.
Japan’s Topix index, which surged over 5% in the previous two sessions to a record high, slipped 0.7%, while the Nikkei fell 0.5% from a one-year high. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 0.5%, mainland Chinese blue chips slid 0.2%, and Australia’s benchmark declined 0.5%. In contrast, U.S. S&P 500 futures rose 0.2%, buoyed by strong Alphabet earnings, with the Nasdaq also hitting a record close.
Global markets remain cautious ahead of multiple events: Trump’s August 1 trade deadline, the U.S. Federal Reserve policy meeting, key payroll data, and earnings reports from tech giants Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft. The Bank of Japan will announce its policy on Thursday, coinciding with a key Liberal Democratic Party meeting following Ishiba’s coalition loss in recent elections.
The euro traded near $1.1743, down 0.2% against the dollar, while the U.S. currency advanced 0.3% to 147.37 yen. U.S. 10-year Treasury yields eased to 4.39%, while Japanese government bond yields hovered near 1.6%, their highest since 2008.
Gold prices held steady at $3,368 per ounce, poised for a weekly gain, while Brent crude rose 0.3% to $69.35 and U.S. WTI gained 0.2% to $66.18 per barrel.
