Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
Kevin Hassett Says Inflation Is Below Target, Backs Trump’s Call for Rate Cuts 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
Yen Slides as BOJ Caution Undercuts Rate Hike Impact 
Global Demand for Yuan Loans and Bonds Surges as China Pushes Currency Internationalization 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise Ahead of Holiday-Shortened Week as AI Optimism Lifts Tech 
China Keeps Benchmark Lending Rates Steady as Economic Outlook Remains Cautious 
EU Approves €90 Billion Ukraine Aid as Frozen Russian Asset Plan Stalls 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy Shares Support MOEX Index 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
Trump Defends Economic Record in North Carolina as Midterm Election Pressure Mounts 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip After CPI-Fueled Rally as Markets Weigh Economic Uncertainty 
Asian share markets moved higher at the start of the week, following strong tech-led gains on Wall Street, while the Japanese yen continued to weaken sharply against major currencies despite a significant interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan. Trading volumes remained light due to a holiday-shortened global schedule, but investor sentiment leaned positive as markets looked ahead to key U.S. economic data.
Futures for major U.S. indices pointed upward, with S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures extending gains, reflecting ongoing optimism around technology stocks. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei jumped around 1.5%, benefiting from the yen’s steep decline, which tends to support export-heavy Japanese companies by improving overseas earnings. Broader regional markets also advanced, with MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan posting moderate gains, while South Korean stocks outperformed on expectations of strong AI-related earnings.
Attention remains focused on delayed U.S. GDP data, which is expected to show solid third-quarter growth of around 3.2% on an annualized basis. However, some caution is emerging. Analysts have warned that investor sentiment has reached extremely bullish levels, historically associated with short-term market pullbacks. Recent fund flow data showed record inflows into global equity markets, particularly U.S. stocks, while bond inflows continued to slow, highlighting a strong risk-on bias among investors.
In currency markets, the yen hit record lows against the euro and Swiss franc, even after the Bank of Japan raised interest rates to their highest level in three decades. The move triggered selling pressure in Japanese government bonds, pushing 10-year yields to levels not seen since the late 1990s. The dollar also remained firm against the yen, keeping markets on alert for potential intervention by Japanese authorities.
Commodities saw notable moves as well. Silver surged to a fresh all-time high, extending its remarkable gains for the year, while gold edged higher amid ongoing market uncertainty. Oil prices climbed after reports of U.S. actions against Venezuelan oil shipments, adding supply concerns to the market. Overall, global markets remain buoyant, though elevated valuations and extreme optimism are beginning to test investor confidence.
