Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
U.S. stock indexes closed lower Monday but rebounded from earlier steep losses after President Donald Trump delayed new tariffs on Mexico. Trump granted a one-month pause after Mexico agreed to deploy 10,000 National Guard troops to curb illegal drug trafficking, especially fentanyl.
Over the weekend, Trump had announced 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada and 10% on China, warning of short-term economic pain. Analysts fear prolonged tariffs could further pressure markets and drive inflation. The Dow Jones fell 122.75 points (0.28%) to 44,421.91, while the S&P 500 lost 45.96 points (0.76%) to 5,994.57, and the Nasdaq dropped 235.49 points (1.2%) to 19,391.96. Defensive sectors like healthcare and consumer staples gained, while tech and consumer discretionary stocks lagged.
Automakers, hit hard by tariff concerns, recouped some losses, with Ford slipping 1.9% and GM dropping 3.2%. The Cboe Volatility Index spiked before settling at 18.6. Meanwhile, AI-driven market disruptions persisted, with Nvidia sliding 2.8% as semiconductor stocks dipped 1.8% following concerns over Chinese AI startup DeepSeek’s breakthrough.
The small-cap Russell 2000 index briefly touched a three-week low before closing down 1.3%. Investors sought safety in bonds and gold, pushing spot gold to a record high. Treasury yields edged lower.
Earnings season continued, with Tyson Foods rising 2.2% after an upbeat sales forecast and IDEXX Laboratories surging 11.1% on strong earnings. Economic data showed U.S. manufacturing expanded for the first time in two years.
Declining stocks outnumbered advancers by a 2.18-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and 2.37-to-1 on the Nasdaq. Trading volume reached 16.34 billion shares, above the 20-day average of 15.57 billion.
