Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Alphabet Surges, Lifting Nasdaq Futures
U.S. stock index futures saw gains in evening trading on Tuesday, fueled by a sharp 5.5% rise in Alphabet Inc. shares after the tech giant reported better-than-expected earnings. Alphabet’s performance is anticipated to set a positive trend for other tech stocks, with Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple slated to release earnings in the coming days.
Tech Leads Gains as Broader Market Holds Back
S&P 500 Futures rose 0.2% to 5,883 points, with Nasdaq 100 Futures up by the same percentage to 20,737.25 points. Dow Jones Futures inched up 0.1% to 42,487 points. However, non-tech sectors remained cautious amid ongoing concerns about the upcoming 2024 presidential election and key economic reports due later this week.
Alphabet's AI Investments Show Results
Alphabet’s success in Q3 was partly due to its cloud services, which grew at their fastest pace in two years. These services were supported by advances in artificial intelligence and election-related ad revenue, particularly on YouTube. The company’s positive results buoy investor sentiment for tech.
Broader Market Mixed as Investors Eye Key Data and Election
The NASDAQ Composite closed 0.8% higher at a record 18,717.58 points on Tuesday, while the S&P 500 rose slightly, ending at 5,832.92. However, the Dow dipped by 0.4%, reflecting lingering caution. Investors remain watchful ahead of Thursday's Q3 GDP report and Friday’s PCE index and employment data, all of which could influence the Federal Reserve’s expected rate decision next week.
