Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. stock index futures declined Sunday evening following Moody’s downgrade of the U.S. credit rating, raising concerns over mounting debt and economic uncertainty. The ratings agency lowered the sovereign credit score from Aaa to Aa1, citing the growing $36 trillion national debt and limited progress in reducing government spending, despite measures promoted by the Trump administration, including efforts led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
The downgrade adds pressure on financial markets, especially as President Donald Trump’s trade policies remain under scrutiny. Trump recently stated that Walmart should absorb higher costs from import tariffs, warning the retail giant against raising prices. Walmart responded by saying it couldn’t fully offset the increased costs, even after the recent easing of U.S.-China tariffs, suggesting price hikes on Chinese imports are inevitable.
Markets, which had rallied last week on hopes of a cooling U.S.-China trade war, appeared to lose momentum. On Friday, the S&P 500 rose 0.7% to 5,958.38, the Nasdaq gained 0.5% to 19,211.0, and the Dow Jones climbed 0.8% to 42,654.74. However, this optimism faded over the weekend as investors refocused on broader macroeconomic risks.
By 19:52 ET, S&P 500 futures had slipped 0.6% to 5,942.25, Nasdaq 100 futures dropped 0.5% to 21,393.50, and Dow Jones futures fell 0.6% to 42,489.0.
Trump’s insistence on tariffs as a revenue tool continues to raise alarms across corporate America, especially among import-reliant companies. Walmart, seen as a barometer of U.S. consumer health, underscored the broader strain on businesses and households as costs rise. With Moody’s downgrade and tariff tensions in play, market volatility may persist in the near term.
