Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
Asian Markets Rebound as Tech Rally Lifts Wall Street, Investors Brace for BOJ Rate Hike 
Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
BOJ Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Japan Signals Shift Toward Monetary Normalization 
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%.
