Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
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 and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
US stock index futures inched higher in holiday-thinned trade on Monday, with investors wary of potential new trade tariffs and prolonged high interest rates. Limited trading volumes due to a US market holiday offered few cues from Wall Street. Investors focused on President Donald Trump’s renewed plans for reciprocal tariffs and the Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates after persistent inflation data last week.
S&P 500 Futures rose 0.2% to 6,141.0 points, Nasdaq 100 Futures gained 0.1% to 22,220.0 points, and Dow Jones Futures climbed 0.2% to 44,712.0 points.
Trump reiterated his intention to impose tariffs matching duties on US exports, particularly targeting countries with a value-added tax system, affecting importers in Europe and Asia. Having recently imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum and 10% on Chinese goods, Trump signaled that new tariffs might be implemented by April, providing short-term relief to markets.
The S&P 500 closed flat at 6,114.63 points on Friday, while the NASDAQ Composite rose 0.4% to 20,026.77 points, and the Dow Jones fell 0.4% to 44,546.08 points.
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller downplayed the inflationary impact of Trump's tariffs but emphasized the need to maintain current interest rates due to persistent inflation and a robust labor market. After 1% in rate cuts through 2024, the Fed kept rates steady in January and is expected to maintain them in the near term.
Despite tariff concerns, investors remain cautious, with markets closely monitoring economic indicators and policy signals. As global trade tensions escalate, market volatility may persist, underscoring the importance of staying informed and prepared.
