Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
U.S. Cyber Monday Online Sales Surge Past $9.1 Billion as Holiday Shopping Momentum Builds 
Japan’s Service Sector Sustains Growth Momentum in November 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Trump Administration Plans Major Rollback of Biden-Era Fuel Economy Standards 
South Korea Inflation Edges Up in November as Food and Service Costs Climb 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Japan’s Finance Minister Signals Alignment With BOJ as Rate Hike Speculation Grows 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
U.S. Soybean Shipments to China Gain Momentum as Trade Tensions Ease 
Asian stocks edged lower on Friday as a brief rebound in technology shares lost momentum and renewed worries over China’s property crisis weighed heavily on regional sentiment. Markets also saw subdued activity due to the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, leaving investors with limited trading cues. Still, expectations of a potential U.S. interest rate cut in December helped keep broader declines in check.
Chinese equities were among the biggest drags, with the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite slipping around 0.3%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dipped 0.1%. Selling pressure intensified in China’s real estate sector as investors dumped China Vanke’s bonds, driving its Shenzhen-listed shares down an additional 1.5%. Reports that the state-backed developer was seeking to restructure certain debt obligations fueled speculation that Vanke could face a default—an event that would surpass the collapses of Evergrande and Country Garden. With China’s property sector serving as a major economic pillar, further turmoil threatens to deepen growth risks. Mainland markets were down between 2% and 3% for November, with the Hang Seng trading mostly flat for the month.
Japanese stocks traded flat to slightly lower as strong economic data increased expectations that the Bank of Japan may soon raise interest rates. Tokyo’s November inflation held steady, with core inflation still above the BOJ’s 2% target. Industrial production unexpectedly improved, and retail sales beat forecasts, although unemployment remained unchanged and job applications softened. Analysts noted that the overall data reinforced the case for tighter monetary policy, potentially as early as December, despite resistance from the Sanae Takaichi government. The Nikkei 225, pressured by falling tech shares, was down 4.5% for the month.
Across the region, South Korea’s KOSPI fell nearly 1% and was down almost 4% in November, while Australia’s ASX 200 remained flat and on track for a 2.9% monthly decline amid expectations that the Reserve Bank of Australia will keep rates elevated. India’s Nifty 50 futures traded steady ahead of key GDP data, supported by low inflation and lower exposure to tech, posting a 1.9% gain in November. Singapore’s Straits Times index rose 0.4%, up 2.2% for the month.
