Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Global Forex Markets Brace for Fed Decision as Yen Extends Weakness 
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
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.
