South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points
Ongoing Inflation Progress and Labor Market Slowdown Drive Fed’s Decision
The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to a range of 4.50%-4.75% on Thursday. This adjustment, following September’s larger 50-basis-point cut, reflects ongoing improvements in inflation control and indications of a softening labor market.
According to Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, “The labor market is not a significant source of inflationary pressures,” citing indicators suggesting the labor market is less tight than it was before the pandemic. The latest measure of the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, the core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index, remained steady at 2.7% in September, slightly above economist expectations of 2.6%.
Impact of Political Shift: Potential Policy Adjustments Under New Leadership
This rate cut arrives amid political changes, with President-elect Donald Trump’s victory signaling potential economic policy shifts. Powell noted that while immediate policy changes aren’t anticipated, potential measures from the new administration—like tariffs, tax adjustments, and immigration policy revisions—could impact inflation and the Fed’s rate-cut timeline.
Market expectations suggest the Fed will conclude its rate-cutting cycle after two more 25-basis-point reductions in 2025, bringing rates to the 3.75%-4% range.
