Oil Prices Rise as Geopolitical Tensions and Supply Risks Intensify 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Dollar Slips as Weak U.S. Manufacturing Data Increases Pressure for Fed Rate Cuts 
South Korea Inflation Edges Up in November as Food and Service Costs Climb 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Trump Administration Plans Major Rollback of Biden-Era Fuel Economy Standards 
U.S. May Withhold $30.4 Million From Minnesota Over Improper Commercial Driver Licenses 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Tech Stocks Lift S&P 500 as Fed Rate-Cut Expectations Rise 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Japan’s Finance Minister Signals Alignment With BOJ as Rate Hike Speculation Grows 
Japan’s Service Sector Sustains Growth Momentum in November 
Comments from NAB:
- Up to a 40% chance the Reserve Bank of Australia cash rate goes below 2%
- The capex subindex points to moderate expansion in non mining
- "Confidence also fell across all industries except manufacturing and wholesale, suggesting common factors such as political and broader economic uncertainty may be at play ... perhaps the rate cut acted as a stark reminder of the significant headwinds facing the economy"
- "We still see another rate cut in coming months ... most likely May but the April meeting is live and data-dependent"
