South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
U.S. stock futures remained stable on Thursday evening as investors reacted to new tariff threats from President Donald Trump and cautious Federal Reserve signals on interest rate cuts.
S&P 500 Futures held at 6,138.50 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures edged up 0.1% to 22,166.25 points. Dow Jones Futures saw slight gains, reaching 44,293.0 points.
Trump reiterated his intent to impose 25% tariffs on key sectors, including automobiles, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and lumber, heightening fears of a trade war. He also warned of reciprocal tariffs on major trading partners, with some duties possibly taking effect by early April. The uncertainty over whether these threats are a negotiation strategy or a real policy shift kept investors cautious.
The stock market saw losses on Thursday, driven by weak corporate earnings and Fed concerns. Walmart (NYSE: WMT) dropped 6.5% after reporting lower-than-expected quarterly earnings, raising worries about slowing consumer spending. The decline affected other retail stocks. Block Inc (NYSE: XYZ) also fell 6% in after-hours trading due to disappointing results.
Additionally, recent Fed statements reinforced expectations that interest rates will remain unchanged in the near term. Policymakers expressed concerns about persistent inflation, partly influenced by Trump’s trade policies. The Fed’s January meeting minutes highlighted these inflation risks, dampening investor sentiment.
On Thursday, the S&P 500 slipped 0.4% to 6,117.63 points, the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.5% to 19,962.36 points, and the Dow Jones fell 1% to 44,176.90 points. With economic uncertainty mounting, traders will closely watch developments on tariffs, interest rates, and corporate earnings.
