U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
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 
The S&P 500 ended slightly lower Wednesday after the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged at 4.25%-4.50% and signaled a slower pace of rate cuts ahead. The Dow fell 44 points (-0.1%), the S&P 500 slipped 0.04%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.1%.
The Fed maintained its projection of two rate cuts in 2025 but revised its outlook for 2026 and 2027. Rates are now expected to fall to 3.6% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027, up from prior estimates. This hawkish shift reflects ongoing concerns over persistent inflation and economic uncertainty, further complicated by tariffs and policy ambiguity under President Donald Trump.
Economic data showed mixed signals. U.S. housing starts edged up 0.4% in May, but building permits declined, reflecting weakness in the housing market. Jobless claims fell to 245,000 last week, but signs point to a softening labor market.
Geopolitical tensions rose after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected Trump’s call for surrender, warning of “irreparable damage” if the U.S. intervenes militarily. Trump hinted at possible strikes but said Iran is open to talks.
Banking stocks moved amid reports that U.S. regulators may lower the enhanced supplementary leverage ratio (ESLR) for major banks like JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley from 5% to a 3.5%-4.5% range, easing capital requirements.
In corporate news, Peloton gained nearly 2% following successful cost cuts and financing efforts. Hasbro rose after announcing a 3% workforce reduction in response to higher tariffs. Circle Internet Group surged 20% after the Senate passed the GENIUS Act, laying the groundwork for stablecoin regulation—a move seen as pivotal for crypto adoption.
This combination of monetary policy shifts, geopolitical risks, and crypto legislation is keeping markets on edge.
