China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Policy Clues in Holiday-Thinned Trade 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
Asian Markets End Year on AI Optimism as Precious Metals and Currencies Shine 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
Oil Prices Slide in 2025 as Oversupply and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
Increasing freight rates boosted share prices of South Korean shippers, led by HMM Co., with investors seeing improved earnings down the road.
On Friday, the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index reached 1,664.56, surpassing the previous record of 1,583.18 posted in July 2010.
Shares of No. 1 shipper HMM went up 15.12 percent to 11,800 won while those of bulk carrier Korea Line jumped 29.75 percent to 2,115 won.
Pan Ocean, another bulk carrier, also had its shares prices surging 14.78 percent to 4,000 won, while and KSS Line's rose 5.07 percent to 10,150 won.
Freight rates of South Korean shipping companies are expected to rise more next year with less competition from global shippers who have cut down on business due to the pandemic.
Industry watchers added that South Korean shippers would benefit from growing demand to be triggered y the year-end shopping season in the US.
