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Asian Markets End Year on AI Optimism as Precious Metals and Currencies Shine 
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South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
Singapore GDP Growth Surges in 2025 but Outlook Remains Cautious Amid Global Trade Risks 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
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Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Policy Clues in Holiday-Thinned Trade 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
Citi Forecasts a Volatile but Ongoing Bull Market for S&P 500 in 2026 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
U.S. stock index futures edged lower on Sunday evening as investors prepared for a pivotal week marked by a Federal Reserve policy decision and a heavy slate of corporate earnings. The cautious tone followed a volatile prior week on Wall Street, where geopolitical tensions and renewed trade concerns weighed on market sentiment.
S&P 500 futures slipped about 0.3% to around 6,926 points, while Nasdaq 100 futures declined roughly 0.5% to near 25,618 points. Dow Jones futures were also modestly lower, down about 0.3% at approximately 40,140 points. The pullback reflects lingering risk aversion after last week’s losses, when the S&P 500 finished down about 0.4%, the Nasdaq Composite closed marginally lower, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell around 0.5%.
Markets were unsettled by fresh geopolitical developments tied to former President Donald Trump’s rhetoric on trade and foreign policy. His renewed focus on Greenland, alongside tariff-related threats linked to strategic influence in the Arctic, raised fears of a broader transatlantic trade conflict. Global trade anxiety intensified further after Trump warned he could impose a 100% tariff on Canada should Ottawa proceed with a proposed trade agreement with China. These developments pushed investors toward safer assets, with gold prices surging to record highs above $5,000 an ounce, highlighting the prevailing risk-off mood.
Attention now shifts to the Federal Reserve’s two-day policy meeting, set to conclude on Wednesday. While markets widely expect the Fed to keep interest rates unchanged after three consecutive cuts, investors will closely parse the policy statement and Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference for guidance on the future path of monetary policy, particularly amid sticky inflation and slowing global growth signals.
Adding to the week’s importance is a wave of corporate earnings, with roughly one-fifth of the S&P 500 reporting results. Several mega-cap technology companies from the “Magnificent Seven” are in focus, including Tesla, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms on Wednesday, followed by Apple on Thursday. Investors will be watching these earnings closely for insights into consumer demand, artificial intelligence investments, revenue growth, and margin pressures in an uncertain geopolitical and economic environment.
