Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Most Asian stocks fell on Friday, extending losses as investor anxiety grew over U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff plans. Japanese markets led regional declines, with the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX sinking over 2% after Tokyo’s hotter-than-expected CPI data fueled speculation of a near-term Bank of Japan rate hike.
Auto and tech stocks were hit hardest. Shares of Toyota and Honda tumbled nearly 5%, extending losses from Thursday after Trump announced 25% tariffs on autos. In South Korea, Hyundai dropped 4.2%, while chipmaker SK Hynix slid 3.5%. Taiwan’s TSMC dipped 0.9%, and Hon Hai Precision plunged 3.4%. The broader tech sector faced pressure on fears of oversupply in AI data centers, especially after Microsoft reportedly canceled several data center leases.
Wall Street’s weak performance overnight, driven by tariff concerns and ahead of more duties set for April 2, set a negative tone for Asian markets. U.S. stock index futures traded flat in Asia, with investors eyeing upcoming PCE data for inflation cues.
Elsewhere, South Korea’s KOSPI lost 1.7%, mirroring Japan’s tech-led downturn. In China, the Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 edged down 0.4% and 0.2% respectively, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slipped 0.3% but remained on track to recover weekly losses. Despite Friday’s dip, Chinese stocks have outperformed in 2025 amid optimism over AI growth and Beijing’s policy support.
Australia’s ASX 200 rose 0.2% ahead of next week’s RBA meeting, where rates are expected to remain unchanged. Singapore’s Straits Times index edged up 0.1% after recent record highs. Indian Nifty 50 futures pointed to a flat open. Investors now await China’s March PMI data on Monday for further direction.
