Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
U.S. Open to Special Trade Terms for South Africa Under Possible AGOA Extension 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Stocks Slip as Investors Brace for Fed Decision and JPMorgan Warning Weighs on Markets 
Asian stock markets and U.S. futures rose on Friday amid renewed optimism over potential U.S.-China trade talks, offsetting investor concerns following weak earnings from Apple and Amazon. China’s commerce ministry said Washington had shown interest in tariff negotiations, and Beijing was open to talks—provided the U.S. “shows sincerity.”
The news helped U.S. stock futures rebound, with S&P 500 futures up 0.6% and Nasdaq futures rising 0.3%. Japan’s Nikkei gained 1% on yen weakness, while Taiwan’s market surged 2%. MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan climbed 0.4%.
Markets were rattled earlier in the week as Apple trimmed its share buybacks and warned tariffs could cost $900 million this quarter. Amazon also missed expectations. However, upbeat earnings from Microsoft and Meta offered some relief, signaling parts of the tech sector may weather trade headwinds.
Global sentiment has been volatile due to President Donald Trump’s unpredictable tariff measures. Recent data showed the U.S. economy shrank for the first time in three years, while Chinese factory activity posted its sharpest contraction in over a year.
Economists warn that rising consumer prices from tariffs could trigger a recession if spending slows. Commonwealth Bank’s Joseph Capurso noted a downturn is not the base case but remains a risk.
Currency markets saw the yen weaken to 145.62 per dollar after the Bank of Japan held rates steady and trimmed its growth outlook. The U.S. dollar index hit 100.14, its strongest level since February, ahead of April’s nonfarm payroll report, which is expected to show 130,000 new jobs.
Gold dipped to $3,234.9 per ounce on weaker safe-haven demand, while oil rose after Trump threatened secondary sanctions on Iran. Brent gained 0.56%, and WTI crude climbed 0.6%.
