Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
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.
