Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Asian share markets extended recent gains Tuesday, driven by strong demand for technology stocks and record-breaking momentum in gold. Optimism around artificial intelligence fueled Wall Street’s latest rally, with Nvidia announcing plans to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI, with first data center deliveries set for 2026.
Tech giants including Oracle, Apple, Nvidia, and Tesla continue to dominate, drawing heavy inflows from momentum funds and options traders. Analysts note the trend is becoming self-fulfilling, with investors hedging equity exposure through gold. The precious metal surged to a new record of $3,755.47 per ounce, nearly 9% higher in September.
In Asia, chip stocks led gains. South Korea rose 0.2%, adding to a 9% monthly surge, while Japan’s Nikkei—closed for a holiday—remains up 6.5% in September. Taiwan advanced nearly 7%, and MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index outside Japan gained 0.3%. Chinese blue chips added 0.1%.
European markets showed modest improvement, with EUROSTOXX 50, FTSE, and DAX futures all edging higher. In the U.S., S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures steadied after hitting record highs.
Investor sentiment remains supported by expectations of further U.S. Federal Reserve rate cuts, with markets pricing in a 90% chance of easing in October and 75% in December. However, mixed Fed messaging persists, with some officials warning about inflation while new Governor Stephen Miran urged sharper cuts. Fed Chair Jerome Powell is set to comment later today.
Currency markets saw the dollar ease against the euro and yen, while Sweden’s crown held steady ahead of a central bank decision. Oil prices dipped on oversupply concerns, with Brent at $66.46 and U.S. crude at $62.21.
With AI enthusiasm surging and gold setting records, global markets remain firmly momentum-driven.
