Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
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 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
U.S. Stock Futures Decline Ahead of Corporate Earnings
Stock futures in the U.S. edged lower on Tuesday as investors prepared for a wave of quarterly earnings reports. As of 03:30 ET (07:30 GMT), Dow futures dropped 82 points (0.2%), while Nasdaq 100 futures declined by 44 points (0.2%), with the S&P 500 holding steady.
Mega-cap tech stocks, like Nvidia, had pushed the Nasdaq Composite higher in the previous session, but concerns over rising U.S. Treasury yields and lofty valuations ahead of corporate earnings led to caution. Analysts from Vital Knowledge highlighted that higher yields and elevated stock valuations fueled profit-taking after the recent market rally.
Texas Instruments and Major Earnings Reports in Focus
Tuesday will bring earnings updates from several industry leaders, including General Electric Aerospace, Danaher Corporation, Philip Morris International, and Verizon Communications. Texas Instruments, a key semiconductor player, will also report, with investors keen to gauge the demand for chips, especially amid growing interest in artificial intelligence applications.
Last week, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. posted better-than-expected earnings, boosting chip stocks. However, concerns over the sector's outlook persist, especially after ASML's cautious sales forecast.
Federal Reserve Rate Cuts Remain Uncertain
Four Federal Reserve officials have voiced support for additional interest rate cuts, following the 50-basis-point reduction in September. However, disagreement over the pace of these cuts remains. Some officials advocate for a gradual reduction, while San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly warns that rates may still be too tight.
