U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
The euro hovered near a one‑month low on Wednesday, recovering slightly after sharp declines earlier this week as investors weighed the impact of the new U.S.–EU trade pact and awaited key policy meetings from the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan (BOJ).
The euro rose 0.12% to $1.1558 after touching $1.15185 on Tuesday, its weakest level in a month. Despite gaining 11.7% year‑to‑date, the currency is heading for its first monthly loss in 2025. The dollar index stood at 98.815, close to a one‑month high, supported by investor caution ahead of central bank updates.
The U.S. dollar has regained strength amid a lopsided trade framework between Washington and Brussels, with analysts noting the agreement’s vague terms and limited enforcement. Meanwhile, U.S.–China trade negotiations in Stockholm concluded with a commitment to extend their 90‑day tariff truce, though no breakthroughs were announced.
Market attention is now on the Federal Reserve’s policy decision later Wednesday. The Fed is widely expected to hold interest rates steady, but investors will closely analyze Chair Jerome Powell’s comments for signals on future moves. Speculation is growing that internal dissent from policymakers like Christopher Waller or Michelle Bowman could highlight political pressure from President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called for rate cuts.
The BOJ is also set to keep rates unchanged, with Governor Kazuo Ueda’s remarks in focus as traders assess whether the recent U.S.–Japan trade deal could pave the way for a rate hike later this year.
Other major currencies were steady, with sterling at $1.3358, the Australian dollar at $0.6517, the offshore yuan at 7.178 per dollar, and the yen firming slightly to 148.20 per dollar.
Global currency markets remain sensitive to trade developments and central bank guidance amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
