RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
EU Delays Mercosur Free Trade Agreement Signing Amid Ukraine War Funding Talks 
Precious Metals Rally as Silver and Platinum Outperform on Rate Cut Bets 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
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 
U.S. stocks posted modest moves on Monday as investors digested trade updates and awaited key earnings reports. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 114 points, or 0.28%, while the S&P 500 inched up 3 points, or 0.06%. The Nasdaq Composite dipped 17 points, or 0.1%.
Markets found support from renewed optimism over trade deals. Vital Knowledge analyst Adam Crisafulli noted that "hope and hype" around trade negotiations might prevent a sharp drop in the S&P 500 but warned against chasing gains above the 5500 level.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent fueled optimism in a CNBC interview, saying several countries had offered “very good” tariff proposals. Bessent highlighted progress with Asian partners, South Korea, India, and Japan, and said all branches of the U.S. government remained in contact with China, urging de-escalation.
Signs that the Trump administration seeks to ease trade tensions helped sentiment, as concerns over the global economic impact from tariffs continue to loom.
Investors are now turning their attention to earnings from major tech companies including Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META). Microsoft and Meta report Wednesday, while Apple and Amazon are set for Thursday.
These earnings are seen as critical indicators of corporate resilience amid trade uncertainty and rising capital expenditures on artificial intelligence.
Reports from other heavyweights like Visa (NYSE:V), Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO), and Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) are also expected this week, adding to a crucial test for markets navigating both trade developments and economic headwinds.
