Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Silver Prices Surge to New Record Above $60 as Supply Concerns and Fed Expectations Boost Demand 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
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 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
U.S. Open to Special Trade Terms for South Africa Under Possible AGOA Extension 
Stocks Slip as Investors Brace for Fed Decision and JPMorgan Warning Weighs on Markets 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
U.S.-Indonesia Trade Deal Faces Uncertainty as Jakarta Reconsiders Key Commitments 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Asian stock markets mostly advanced on Tuesday, boosted by gains in automakers after the U.S. announced measures to soften auto tariffs. However, mainland Chinese stocks edged lower amid a lack of new stimulus from Beijing.
With Japanese markets closed for a holiday, regional trading volumes were light. Major U.S. indexes posted slight gains on Monday, with futures inching higher during Asian hours.
Investor sentiment improved after the Trump administration said it would ease some tariffs on foreign auto parts used in U.S.-made vehicles. According to The Wall Street Journal, automakers will be exempt from additional duties, such as those on steel and aluminum.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbed 0.5%, driven by a 5% surge in NIO Inc (HK:9866) and a 2.5% rise in Geely Automobile (HK:0175). South Korea’s KOSPI gained 0.8%, with Hyundai Motor (KS:005380) up 1.7%. Futures tied to India’s Nifty 50 and Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.3%, with the latter poised to rally once trading resumes. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 advanced 0.9%, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index added 0.4%.
Attention now turns to the Bank of Japan’s policy meeting, with rates expected to remain unchanged despite persistent inflation.
Meanwhile, China’s Shanghai Composite dipped 0.1% and the CSI 300 fell 0.2%, despite easing U.S.-China trade tensions. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated ongoing communication with China, though Beijing denied recent talks. Chinese policymakers pledged to support businesses affected by tariffs but refrained from introducing fresh stimulus beyond March announcements. Investors await China's manufacturing data due Wednesday for further economic signals.
