Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
U.S. stock futures tumbled Monday evening following a sharp sell-off on Wall Street, as recession fears fueled by President Donald Trump’s tariff policies rattled investors.
S&P 500 Futures dropped 0.5% to 5,595.0 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures declined 0.8% to 19,306.0 points. Dow Jones Futures remained mostly flat at 41,965.0 points. The broader stock market suffered steep losses, with the S&P 500 sliding 2.7%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 2%, and the Nasdaq Composite plunging 4%, led by major tech stock declines.
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) plummeted 15%, while NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) slipped 5.1%. Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) lost 5.4%, and Arm Holdings (NASDAQ:ARM) fell 7.3%. Crypto-related stocks also took a hit, with Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) plunging 16.7% and Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) sinking 17.6%, following Bitcoin’s downturn.
A Reuters poll indicated escalating economic risks across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada due to Trump’s tariff measures, amplifying business uncertainty. Inflation concerns are rising, increasing the likelihood that the Federal Reserve will maintain its current monetary policy stance. Trump has avoided speculating on a potential 2025 recession despite growing economic concerns.
Further adding to market anxiety, a U.S. government shutdown looms if Congress fails to approve a temporary funding bill before the March 14 deadline. The House proposed a six-month stopgap measure, with a vote set for Tuesday. The bill requires 60 Senate votes to pass.
Investors now await Wednesday’s consumer price index (CPI) report, a key indicator ahead of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision next week. Fed Chair Jerome Powell recently stated that the central bank is monitoring Trump’s economic policies, including tariffs and federal worker layoffs, while maintaining a cautious approach on rate adjustments.
