Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Asian stocks fell on Thursday, dragged down by renewed trade tensions after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25% auto tariff set to take effect on April 2. The move sparked fears of escalating trade conflicts, especially with additional tariffs expected to follow.
Japan and South Korea led regional losses, hit hard by declines in automakers and tech stocks. Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 1.1%, while South Korea’s KOSPI shed 1%. Major automakers such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Hyundai fell between 2.6% and 3.8%, despite Hyundai’s recent $21 billion investment in U.S. operations.
Technology and chipmaking stocks mirrored losses on Wall Street as concerns mounted over a potential oversupply in AI data infrastructure. Shares of major suppliers like TSMC, Hon Hai, and SK Hynix slipped up to 2.4%. Japan’s Advantest plunged nearly 7%. These losses followed reports that Microsoft canceled several data center leases, raising fears of weakened AI-driven demand.
In contrast, Chinese stocks remained relatively stable. The Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 posted slight gains, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.3%, lifted by local tech optimism. Recent AI advancements from Tencent, Baidu, and DeepSeek boosted sentiment in China, helping decouple Hong Kong tech from global headwinds.
Elsewhere in Asia, Australia’s ASX 200 fell 0.5% amid concerns over commodity tariffs, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index rose 0.5% to a record high as investors shifted to financials. Indian markets looked to open flat after recent gains stalled.
Overall, markets remain cautious ahead of April 2, when further clarity on U.S. tariffs is expected. Investors are also eyeing upcoming economic data and stimulus signals from Beijing.
