Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Asian markets mostly advanced on Wednesday, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 surging 2.7% to its highest level since July 2024 after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a major trade agreement with Japan. The deal, seen as a breakthrough ahead of an August 1 tariff deadline, includes a 15% U.S. tariff on Japanese exports—lower than the initially proposed 25%—and opens Japanese markets to more U.S. agricultural and automotive products. Trump also stated that Japan would invest $550 billion in the U.S.
Japanese automakers led the rally, with Toyota and Honda jumping up to 10%. The trade agreement provided a much-needed boost to sentiment among Japanese exporters, even as the 15% tariff still presents moderate challenges. Investors largely shrugged off domestic political uncertainty following a recent electoral setback for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s ruling party.
Despite Japan’s strong performance, broader gains in Asian equities were tempered by weakness in technology shares, especially chipmakers. This followed soft guidance from Texas Instruments and reports of challenges in the $500 billion AI venture between Japan’s SoftBank and OpenAI. South Korea’s KOSPI slipped 0.2%, underperforming regional peers, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index traded flat.
Meanwhile, Australia’s ASX 200 gained 0.6%, rebounding from recent losses, and both China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 rose 0.2%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng also added 0.6%. India’s Gift Nifty 50 Futures inched up 0.1%, reflecting cautious optimism as traders awaited progress on a potential U.S.-India trade deal.
Overall, optimism around the U.S.-Japan agreement fueled hopes of similar deals with other Asian economies, but tech sector weakness remains a drag on broader regional sentiment.
