Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech and Financial Stocks Weigh on Markets Amid Thin Holiday Trading 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
Asian Markets End Year on AI Optimism as Precious Metals and Currencies Shine 
U.S. Stocks Slip as Gold Rebounds Ahead of Year-End, Markets Eye 2026 Outlook 
Oil Prices Slide in 2025 as Oversupply and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) is likely to stop providing new financing to coal-fired power plants, including more environmentally friendly projects, due to growing pressure from global investors and environmentalists.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is also pursuing zero greenhouse gas emissions, on a net basis, by 2050.
While SMFG announced it would not finance new coal-fired power plants in principle, it hasn’t ruled out funding more efficient coal-burning plants, such as the so-called “ultra-supercritical" or USC power plants.
It is now likely to remove that exception from its lending policy.
An SMFG spokesman said that while nothing had been decided, it would review its policy for businesses and industries that could have a major environmental impact.
Rival Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc has ceased funding coal power projects except under “special circumstances” based on a country’s energy policy and international agreements signed by Japan.
Meanwhile, No.3 lender Mizuho Financial Group Inc. would still fund coal projects that will be transformed into highly-efficient power plants.
Mizuho shareholders last year rejected a proposal, backed by Nordic funds including Nordea Asset Management, which sought to rein in the financing of coal projects in Asia.
