Asian Stock Markets Trade Flat as Holiday Liquidity Thins and BOJ Minutes Watched 
Japan to Audit Brazil’s Beef System, Paving Way for Market Access 
China Revises 2024 GDP Lower After Final Review, Eyes Growth in 2025 
BOJ Governor Signals Gradual Rate Hikes as Japan’s Inflation Nears 2% Target 
Tokyo Core Inflation Stays Above BOJ Target, Strengthening Case for Further Rate Hikes 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as Strong U.S. Growth and Supply Risks Support Market 
Gold and Silver Hit Record Highs as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid Global Uncertainty 
Japan Revises Economic Growth Forecast as Stimulus Fuels Consumption and Investment 
Argentina Congress Approves 2026 Budget Under Milei, Marking First Legislative Passage Since 2023 
UBS Warns of Short-Term Risks as Precious Metals Rally to Record Highs 
Gold Price Breaks $4,500 as Safe-Haven Demand and Rate Cut Bets Fuel Rally 
China to Tighten Crude Steel Output Controls and Export Regulation Through 2030 
China Industrial Profits Slump Signals Need for More Economic Stimulus 
Lebanon Cabinet Approves Financial Gap Law to Tackle Ongoing Economic Crisis 
Oil Prices Hold Steady in Asia as Geopolitical Tensions Support Market 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Holiday-Thinned Trading Persists 
Taiwan Stock Market Ends Higher as Semiconductor and Energy Shares Lead Gains 
Wall Street finished a light-volume, post-Christmas trading session nearly unchanged on Friday, as investors found little fresh news to drive strong market conviction. After a solid five-session rally, all three major U.S. stock indexes closed slightly lower, marking a pause rather than a reversal, while still securing weekly gains.
Market participants largely attributed the muted movement to holiday-thinned trading and profit-taking following recent strength. According to Ryan Detrick, chief market strategist at Carson Group, the market is simply “catching its breath” after a strong rally. He emphasized that the current period still falls within the traditional “Santa Claus rally,” a seasonal trend where the S&P 500 often rises during the final five trading days of the year and the first two sessions of the new year, a window that runs through January 5. Historically, such rallies are viewed as a positive signal for market performance in the year ahead.
Only three trading days remain in what has been a volatile year for U.S. equities. Investors navigated uncertainty driven by tariff concerns, ongoing geopolitical tensions, and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence-related stocks. Despite these headwinds, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite are all on pace to post double-digit percentage gains for the year, led by the tech-heavy Nasdaq.
On Friday, the Dow slipped 0.04% to 48,710.97, the S&P 500 edged down 0.03% to 6,929.94, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.09% to 23,593.10. Materials stocks led sector gains, while consumer discretionary shares lagged. Year-to-date, communication services, technology, and industrials remain the strongest-performing sectors, with real estate standing out as the only major sector likely to end the year in negative territory.
Individual stocks also drew attention. Nvidia shares rose after the company agreed to license chip technology from startup Groq, while Target climbed on reports of hedge fund activism. Precious metal miners advanced as gold and silver prices hit record highs.
Overall trading volume remained well below average, reinforcing the view that the market’s slight pullback reflects seasonal calm rather than shifting fundamentals, as investors prepare for the final days of the year and look ahead to 2026.
