Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
Asian Markets Rebound as Tech Rally Lifts Wall Street, Investors Brace for BOJ Rate Hike 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip After CPI-Fueled Rally as Markets Weigh Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
Asian stock markets mostly advanced on Friday, driven by a rally in tech shares after Alphabet’s strong earnings and bullish AI outlook. The U.S. tech giant beat earnings expectations and reaffirmed its commitment to artificial intelligence, boosting global investor sentiment and lifting Nasdaq 100 futures by 0.5% during Asian trading.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 led regional gains, rising 1.4% despite hotter-than-expected Tokyo inflation, which raised prospects of further Bank of Japan rate hikes. Optimism around upcoming U.S.-Japan trade talks also buoyed Japanese markets, with the broader TOPIX gaining 1.1%.
Technology-heavy indexes, including South Korea’s KOSPI and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng, rose between 0.6% and 1.2%, following Alphabet’s performance. The positive momentum was further supported by Amazon and Nvidia’s outlooks, which highlighted strong, AI-driven demand for chips and data centers.
Baidu shares surged 4% in Hong Kong after unveiling upgrades to its Ernie AI model. BYD also gained 0.7% ahead of its quarterly earnings release.
In contrast, Chinese mainland stocks underperformed, with the CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite trading flat. Lingering concerns over U.S.-China trade tensions weighed on sentiment, especially after mixed messages on negotiations. While President Trump claimed talks were underway, Chinese officials denied any formal engagement, casting doubt on progress.
Broader Asian markets were mixed. Singapore’s Straits Times Index slipped 0.5%, and India’s Nifty 50 futures indicated a muted open. Australian markets remained closed for a public holiday.
Overall, AI momentum and tech earnings lifted Asian equities, but geopolitical uncertainty and inflationary pressures remain key risks for investors navigating the region’s markets.
