Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Asian stocks opened the final month of 2025 on a steady note, supported by growing optimism over potential U.S. interest rate cuts. The yen strengthened in early trading as investors closely monitored comments from Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, who said the central bank will weigh the “pros and cons” of a rate hike at its upcoming December policy meeting. His remarks briefly lifted the yen to 155.64 per dollar, keeping currency markets on alert as speculation over Japan’s next move intensifies.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan held near 703.19, up 23.5% this year and on track for its strongest annual performance since 2017. Japan’s Nikkei slipped 1.3% in early trade, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index advanced more than 1%, helping lift broader regional sentiment. U.S. stock futures were softer during Asian hours, signaling some caution ahead of key economic data releases.
Analysts say improving risk appetite is driving investors into December with a positive bias. Chris Weston of Pepperstone noted that fading market fears have given way to concerns about missing out on potential gains. This week’s U.S. economic calendar—covering manufacturing, services, and consumer sentiment—could shape expectations for the Federal Reserve’s next steps. Markets are currently pricing in an 87% chance of a rate cut later this month, bolstered by recent dovish comments from policymakers.
Holiday shopping data is also in focus after U.S. consumers spent a record $11.8 billion online on Black Friday, a 9.1% increase from last year, according to Adobe Analytics. Meanwhile, the yen’s recent volatility and fiscal concerns under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi have kept Japan’s currency near intervention levels, prompting repeated warnings from officials.
In commodities, oil prices inched higher after OPEC+ opted to maintain current output levels for the first quarter of 2026. Brent crude rose to $63.03 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate traded at $59.16, both up nearly 1% as traders weighed supply risks against weakening demand.
