Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
European stocks remained flat in early trading Wednesday, as gains in healthcare were counterbalanced by a decline in technology stocks. The pan-European STOXX 600 index edged down 0.07% at 0810 GMT.
Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) surged 4.5% after posting a better-than-expected Q4 profit of $4.4 billion, boosting the healthcare sector by 1.2%. GSK jumped 6.3% after beating Q4 earnings estimates and raising its 2031 sales forecast.
Technology stocks weighed on the market, dropping 0.9%. ASML (AS:ASML) slipped 1.3%, following a lukewarm earnings report from Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD).
The automobile sector also struggled, falling 1.1%. Renault (EPA:RENA) slid 2.6%, dragging the sector lower.
Investors also monitored key economic indicators, including HCOB’s final composite PMI data for January, covering the eurozone, Germany, and other major economies in the region.
With mixed earnings and economic data influencing sentiment, European markets remained in a tight range.
