Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech and Financial Stocks Weigh on Markets Amid Thin Holiday Trading 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
Singapore GDP Growth Surges in 2025 but Outlook Remains Cautious Amid Global Trade Risks 
U.S. Stocks Slip as Gold Rebounds Ahead of Year-End, Markets Eye 2026 Outlook 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
Citi Forecasts a Volatile but Ongoing Bull Market for S&P 500 in 2026 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
US home construction went up 17.3 percent to 1,186,000 homes in June from the previous month, after some states reopened.
It was the second straight month of increase after a modest recovery in May followed sharp declines in April and March.
However, construction activity remains 4 percent below last year following a massive slowdown due to the pandemic.
Applications for building permits also increased by 2.1 percent to 1.24 million units.
It's unclear if the rebound is sustainable with infections that have increased, especially in the South, where businesses have reopened.
Homebuilder sentiment, which considered positive if above 50 points, jumped 14 points to 72 in July, according to the Housing Market Index of the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo.
The number was the same in March, before the plummeting to 30 in April due to the pandemic.
Current sales conditions rose 16 points to 79, sales expectations in the next six months went up seven points to 75, and buyer traffic surged 15 points to 58.
According to NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke, low-interest rates fuel interest as builders also benefit from the sidelined demand during the lockdowns.
Mortgage rates have been setting record lows almost weekly, giving buyers more purchasing power.
Mortgage applications for purchasing new homes were up over 50 percent in June from last year.
