U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Tech Rally Offsets Consumer Weakness 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Markets Rebound as Tech Rally Lifts Wall Street, Investors Brace for BOJ Rate Hike 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Precious Metals Rally as Silver and Platinum Outperform on Rate Cut Bets 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
BOJ Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Japan Signals Shift Toward Monetary Normalization 
EU Delays Mercosur Free Trade Agreement Signing Amid Ukraine War Funding Talks 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Russian stocks finished mixed after the close of trading in Moscow on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index ending the session unchanged at 0.00%. Market sentiment remained cautious as gains in select energy and utility stocks were offset by declines in metals, real estate, and telecom shares, leaving the benchmark index flat by the end of the day.
Among the best-performing stocks on the MOEX Russia Index was Federal Hydro Generating Company RusHydro PJSC (MCX: HYDR), which climbed 1.16% to close at 0.44. The stock benefited from steady interest in utility companies amid broader market uncertainty. Unipro PJSC (MCX: UPRO) also posted gains, rising 0.54% to finish at 1.50, while preferred shares of Surgutneftegas PJSC (MCX: SNGS_p) advanced 0.46% to end the session at 40.35, supported by strength in the energy sector.
On the downside, Magnitogorskiy Metallurgicheskiy Kombinat PAO (MCX: MAGN) was among the weakest performers, slipping 0.59% to 28.50 as metals stocks faced selling pressure. PIK SHb PJSC (MCX: PIKK), a major real estate developer, fell 0.53% to 487.80, while Rostelekom PJSC (MCX: RTKM) declined 0.49% to close at 63.17, reflecting softness in the telecommunications sector.
Overall market breadth was positive, with advancing stocks outnumbering decliners by 131 to 80, while 27 stocks finished unchanged. The Russian Volatility Index (RVI), which tracks implied volatility of MOEX Russia Index options, remained steady at 31.02, indicating stable investor expectations despite mixed equity performance.
In commodities trading, gold futures for February delivery rose 0.52% to $4,387.30 per troy ounce, signaling continued demand for safe-haven assets. Oil prices also moved higher, with February crude oil gaining 0.93% to $56.52 per barrel, while Brent crude increased 1.09% to $60.47.
In the currency market, the Russian ruble weakened against major currencies. USD/RUB rose 0.86% to 80.50, and EUR/RUB gained 0.76% to 94.26. Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar Index futures edged up 0.16% to 98.25, adding modest pressure to emerging market currencies, including the ruble.
