South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
Citi Forecasts a Volatile but Ongoing Bull Market for S&P 500 in 2026 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
Asian stock markets extended losses on Thursday, led by steep declines in Japan and China, after reports surfaced that the United States may tighten export restrictions on China. The renewed trade tension between the world’s two largest economies weighed heavily on investor sentiment across the region.
A Reuters report revealed that Washington is considering curbing software-powered exports to China, including laptops, jet engines, and advanced technology products. The potential move, reportedly still under discussion, is seen as leverage against Beijing’s recent rare earth export restrictions. The development comes ahead of a possible meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, highlighting the fragile state of U.S.-China relations.
The news triggered declines across major Asian indices. China’s Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 dropped 0.6%, and the Shanghai Composite fell 0.7%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was flat, dragged by a 0.8% fall in the Hang Seng TECH Index.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.3%, extending its pullback after a record-breaking rally earlier this week. The broader TOPIX shed 0.5% as investors booked profits amid uncertainty over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s upcoming economic stimulus package. The new plan, expected to exceed last year’s 13.9 trillion yen program, aims to tackle inflation and support household spending.
In contrast, South Korea’s KOSPI index rose 0.3% to a new record high of 3,895.09 after the Bank of Korea kept its key interest rate steady at 2.5% for the third consecutive meeting. The decision underscored the central bank’s focus on economic stability, with analysts forecasting a potential rate cut in November.
Elsewhere, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index traded flat, while India’s Nifty 50 futures edged slightly lower. Investors now await key U.S. inflation data ahead of next week’s Federal Reserve policy meeting, where a rate cut is widely anticipated.
