Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
EU Delays Mercosur Free Trade Agreement Signing Amid Ukraine War Funding Talks 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Asian Markets Rebound as Tech Rally Lifts Wall Street, Investors Brace for BOJ Rate Hike 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Precious Metals Rally as Silver and Platinum Outperform on Rate Cut Bets 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
U.S. stock index futures inched higher Wednesday evening as optimism over easing U.S.-China trade tensions lifted sentiment. Investor focus also shifted toward key tech earnings, with Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL) set to report its Q1 results.
S&P 500 Futures and Nasdaq 100 Futures both rose 0.1% to 5,406.25 and 18,817.50 points, respectively, while Dow Jones Futures dipped 0.2% to 39,713.0. The modest gains followed a strong Wall Street session, driven by President Donald Trump’s suggestion of potentially cutting the 145% tariffs on Chinese imports—conditioned on China returning to the negotiating table.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that while the current tariff exchange is unsustainable, there has been no unilateral offer to reduce duties. China, meanwhile, recently imposed 125% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, showing limited interest in de-escalation talks.
Wall Street reacted positively, with the S&P 500 climbing 1.7% to 5,375.82, the NASDAQ surging 2.5% to 16,708.05, and the Dow gaining 1.1% to close at 39,606.57. However, all three indexes closed off their intraday highs amid ongoing market uncertainty.
Investor confidence was also supported by Trump softening his stance against the Federal Reserve, clarifying he does not plan to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell despite earlier criticisms over interest rates.
Looking ahead, Alphabet’s earnings are highly anticipated, especially regarding its AI investments and future spending plans. Other major companies scheduled to report Thursday include Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG), T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS), PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP), Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD), and Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA).
As investors navigate trade policy shifts and corporate earnings, market volatility is expected to remain elevated.
