Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Asian Stocks Flat as Japanese Markets Struggle Ahead of Election
Overview of Asian Stock Performance
Most Asian stocks remained rangebound on Friday, lacking strong trading cues, while Japan’s shares faced steep losses ahead of the country’s highly anticipated general election. The yen, nearing a three-month low, further rattled sentiment due to concerns over potential government intervention in currency markets.
Regional markets took modest cues from Wall Street's slightly positive close overnight. However, U.S. stock index futures steadied in Asian trade as the focus shifted toward upcoming mega cap tech earnings next week.
Japanese Stocks Fall on Election Worries
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index dropped 1.1%, reaching a three-week low, while the TOPIX fell 0.8%. Investors grew cautious ahead of Sunday’s general election, where polls indicate that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party may struggle to secure enough votes, potentially leading to alliances with smaller parties. Such uncertainty could complicate Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s ability to implement key economic and monetary policies.
The ongoing political uncertainty also clouds the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) monetary policy outlook. Although the BOJ is expected to keep interest rates steady next week, soft consumer inflation data from Tokyo, which showed inflation below the 2% target, added pressure to the yen. This heightened concerns over potential government intervention in currency markets.
Broader Asian Markets Muted
Other Asian markets remained quiet, with China’s indexes slightly up after the People's Bank of China left its key policy rate unchanged. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 1%, marking the best performance in the region, while Australia’s ASX 200 and South Korea’s KOSPI also saw slight gains.
