Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Asian stocks mostly climbed Thursday, tracking Wall Street’s rally after the Federal Reserve kept rates unchanged and made no major policy shifts. However, Chinese markets lagged due to profit-taking following a strong rally.
Markets reacted positively to the Fed’s decision, with U.S. stock futures rising in Asian trade. Investors were relieved that the central bank did not take drastic action despite concerns over a global economic slowdown and trade tensions. However, the Fed trimmed its annual growth forecast and warned of rising inflation.
In Asia, trading volumes were limited due to a Japanese holiday, with Nikkei 225 Futures slipping 0.1%. Australia’s ASX 200 gained 1.1%, rebounding from a seven-month low. Weaker-than-expected employment data fueled speculation of another rate cut by the Reserve Bank of Australia, as the central bank remains focused on inflation and labor market trends.
Broader Asian markets followed Wall Street’s lead, supported by optimism over potential Chinese stimulus. South Korea’s KOSPI rose 0.5%, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index added 0.7%. India’s Nifty 50 futures signaled a positive open, extending gains from a recent nine-month low.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropped 1.1%, retreating from a three-year high. Tech and internet stocks led losses as investors took profits after a strong rally driven by optimism over China’s AI sector and stimulus hopes. Despite Thursday’s dip, the Hang Seng remains up nearly 25% in 2025.
China’s Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite fell 0.6% and 0.3%, respectively, as traders awaited further fiscal measures from Beijing. The People’s Bank of China, as expected, kept its benchmark loan prime rate unchanged.
