Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
South Korea posted exports worth $512.8 billion in 2020, representing a 5.4 percent on-year plunge amid the pandemic, based on data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy.
According to Industry Minister Sung Yun-mo, it is notable that non-memory chips, OLED, eco-friendly automobiles, and COVID-19 test kits and posted record-high performances for the year.
Exports of chips rose by 5.6 percent to reach $99.1 billion, marking the second-highest after $126.7 billion in 2018.
Outbound shipments of electronics jumped 0.7 percent on-year in 2020, rebounding from the 3.6 percent decrease posted in 2019.
However, exports of displays plunged 12.2 percent due to the competition from Chinese rivals.
Car exports also suffered in 2020, decreasing 13.1 percent on-year due to lockdowns and social distancing schemes.
The year saw the emergence of bio-health products, including COVID-19 test kits, as among the top 10 export segments.
Imports moved down 7.2 percent on-year to $467.2 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $45.6 billion in 2020,
It marked the 12th consecutive year the country has posted a surplus.
Expected to create uncertainties for South Korean exporters in 2021 are the pandemic, growing protectionism around the globe, and the launch of the new US administration.
Trade ministry utilizing global trade frameworks, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), to revitalize its exports.
South Korea is awaiting the official launch of the RCEP, which covers its dialogue partners the ASEAN, China, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
