Singapore GDP Growth Surges in 2025 but Outlook Remains Cautious Amid Global Trade Risks 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Policy Clues in Holiday-Thinned Trade 
U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech and Financial Stocks Weigh on Markets Amid Thin Holiday Trading 
Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Citi Forecasts a Volatile but Ongoing Bull Market for S&P 500 in 2026 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
US dollar gained momentum after better than expected US ISM manufacturing PMI . It hits a high of 106.73 and is currently trading around 106.52.
Manufacturing Insights: Signs of Improvement Amid Contraction
The US ISM Manufacturing PMI for November 2024 rose to 48.4, up from 46.5 in October, showing slight improvement but still indicating contraction for the eighth month. The New Orders Index increased to 50.4, suggesting weak growth, while the Employment Index improved to 48.1. Price pressures eased, with the Prices Paid Index dropping to 50.3. Overall, the US Dollar strengthened following these mixed but hopeful manufacturing reports.
Political Crisis in France: Euro Faces Headwinds
Euro lost its shine amid France's political crisis. It is facing a serious political crisis with Prime Minister Michel Barnier's minority government at risk of collapsing due to a no-confidence vote.
His proposed €60 billion budget to reduce the deficit is encountering strong opposition from both right and left-wing parties. To bypass this, Barnier used a controversial method to pass a social security budget, prompting more opposition challenges. The political turmoil has raised concerns about France's financial stability, affecting its bond yields and raising questions about future governance.
