RBA Holds Rates but Warns of Rising Inflation Pressures 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Australian Dollar Rises as RBA Holds Rates and Signals Persistent Inflation Risks 
Asian Markets Slip as Investors Brace for Fed Rate Cut and Global Policy Decisions 
Global Forex Markets Brace for Fed Decision as Yen Extends Weakness 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
U.S.-Indonesia Trade Deal Faces Uncertainty as Jakarta Reconsiders Key Commitments 
Stocks Slip as Investors Brace for Fed Decision and JPMorgan Warning Weighs on Markets 
Canada Stocks Steady as Markets Await Fed and BoC Decisions 
Global Markets Steady as Yen Holds Firm After Japan Earthquake Amid Central Bank Focus 
Oil Prices Dip as Markets Watch Ukraine Peace Talks and U.S. Rate Decision 
U.S. Economic Outlook 2026: Growth Seen Strengthening as Fiscal Support Ramps Up 
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
U.S. Open to Special Trade Terms for South Africa Under Possible AGOA Extension 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Asian stocks edged higher on Thursday, lifted by renewed hopes for progress in U.S.-China trade relations and gains in tech shares. Investor sentiment improved after U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at a possible trade deal announcement, fueling optimism ahead of talks between Washington and Beijing in Switzerland. However, Trump reaffirmed that his 145% tariffs on Chinese goods would remain in place for now, dampening expectations for a breakthrough.
China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 rose 0.1% and 0.4%, respectively, as confirmation of the upcoming talks lent mild support. Beijing stated the meeting was initiated by the U.S., but insisted on tariff reductions before engaging in serious negotiations.
Regional tech stocks led gains following reports that the U.S. may ease Biden-era export restrictions on advanced AI chips. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.9%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.4%, and South Korea’s KOSPI added 0.3%. Shares of AI chip suppliers like Taiwan’s TSMC and South Korea’s SK Hynix climbed up to 1.5%, while Japan’s Advantest surged 2.8%. Chinese tech giants Alibaba and Tencent also advanced, driven by expectations of easier access to U.S. chips.
In broader markets, Australia’s ASX 200 added 0.2%, though banking stocks dragged after ANZ Group posted lackluster earnings and Westpac traded ex-dividend. India’s Nifty 50 futures rose 0.5%, signaling resilience despite escalating military tensions with Pakistan, which retaliated against Indian airstrikes in Kashmir. The Nifty gained 0.1% on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s Straits Times Index dipped 0.2%, and Japan’s TOPIX slipped by the same margin. Despite global economic uncertainties flagged by the Federal Reserve, regional markets largely tracked Wall Street’s tech-driven rebound.
