Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
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 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
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 
The S&P 500 marked its fifth consecutive record close on Friday, driven by strong corporate earnings and optimism over potential trade agreements. At the 4:00 p.m. ET close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 208 points (0.5%), the S&P 500 added 0.4%, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.2%.
Investor sentiment remained upbeat as nearly 83% of the 155 S&P 500 companies that have reported so far exceeded Wall Street estimates, pushing both the S&P and Nasdaq to fresh intraday and closing highs this week.
Trade developments also buoyed markets. U.S. President Donald Trump indicated a 50-50 chance of finalizing a trade deal with the European Union by Sunday, calling it potentially the biggest agreement among recent negotiations. The European Commission signaled optimism, with talks set to continue ahead of the August 1 deadline. Meanwhile, U.S. and Chinese officials are scheduled to meet in Stockholm next week to extend negotiations following earlier tariff-reduction agreements in May and June.
On the corporate front, Intel shares fell after projecting steeper third-quarter losses than analysts expected and announcing plans to reduce its workforce to 75,000 by year-end, a 22% cut from 2024 levels. Conversely, Deckers’ stock surged as strong first-quarter sales from its Hoka and Ugg brands exceeded forecasts. Paramount Global also edged higher after the Federal Communications Commission approved its $8 billion merger with Skydance Media.
With earnings season in full swing and major trade negotiations underway, investors are closely watching for signs of continued momentum in U.S. equities, which have rallied to historic levels despite lingering global trade tensions and cautious corporate guidance.
