Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
U.S. stocks moved higher on Friday during a shortened post-Thanksgiving trading session, supported by renewed optimism for a potential Federal Reserve rate cut in December and solid gains across retail and technology shares. The low-volume session still delivered steady momentum, helping major indexes extend their weekly advance.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.61% to 47,716.42, while the S&P 500 gained 0.54% to close at 6,849.09. The Nasdaq Composite added 0.65%, ending at 23,365.69. Most S&P 500 sectors finished in positive territory, with healthcare the sole laggard as Eli Lilly slipped 2.6%.
Tech stocks helped lift the broader market, driven in part by Intel’s 10.2% surge after an analyst at TF International Securities reported that the chipmaker is expected to begin supplying Apple’s lowest-end M processors by 2027. The news helped bolster sentiment surrounding semiconductor and AI-linked names, even as concerns about stretched valuations persisted.
All three major indexes posted solid weekly gains. The S&P 500 rose 3.73% for the week, the Nasdaq advanced 4.91%, and the Dow gained 3.18%. The S&P 500 and Dow also stabilized enough to edge into slightly positive territory for the month. The Nasdaq, however, ended November down 1.51% as investors continued trimming exposure to high-growth tech and AI stocks following months of strong rallies.
Friday’s session was briefly disrupted after a CME Group technical outage temporarily halted futures trading for currencies, commodities, and equity contracts worldwide. CME attributed the issue to a cooling malfunction at a CyrusOne data center. Although the impact was limited due to the holiday-light volume, market analysts noted that such incidents highlight the vulnerabilities in globally interconnected markets.
With the holiday shopping season officially underway—spanning Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and the upcoming Cyber Monday—investors are watching retail performance closely as consumer spending remains a key driver for year-end market direction.
