U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
Asian Markets End Year on AI Optimism as Precious Metals and Currencies Shine 
Singapore GDP Growth Surges in 2025 but Outlook Remains Cautious Amid Global Trade Risks 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
U.S. Stocks Slip as Gold Rebounds Ahead of Year-End, Markets Eye 2026 Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
Citi Forecasts a Volatile but Ongoing Bull Market for S&P 500 in 2026 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
South Korea will raise property ownership tax rates on people who own three or more homes from a range of 0.6 to 3.2 percent to a scope of 1.2 to 6 percent to curb housing prices.
Companies with multiple homes will be slapped with a 6-percent ownership tax.
The punitive tax rate will affect 0.4 percent of South Koreans, according to the ministry.
The South Korean government had been rolling out measures to prevent a further rise in housing prices, especially in greater Seoul and some unregulated areas.
Previous steps, such as tax hikes and loan regulations, unsuccessfully kept home prices from soaring.
While the government pledged to rein in speculative investments for homes, it will continue to ease tax burdens for first-time home buyers.
Analysts noted that record-low interest rates and excess liquidity pumped into the markets to help revive the economy have contributed to soaring home prices.
