Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
BOJ Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Japan Signals Shift Toward Monetary Normalization 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip After CPI-Fueled Rally as Markets Weigh Economic Uncertainty 
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
Wall Street closed higher on Friday, lifted by technology shares, as optimism over a potential easing of U.S.-China trade tensions buoyed markets. Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) surged 1.7% after surpassing earnings expectations and reaffirming its AI investment plans, helping push the S&P 500 technology, consumer discretionary, and communication services sectors up more than 1% each.
Investors are closely watching corporate earnings calls, cautious of any reduced forecasts amid ongoing uncertainty over President Donald Trump's tariff strategies. Trump claimed in a Time magazine interview that trade talks with China were progressing, though Beijing denied any negotiations, adding to the mixed signals over the global trade outlook. Tariffs imposed since April 2 had raised fears of slowed economic growth.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 20.10 points (0.05%) to 40,113.50, the S&P 500 rose 40.44 points (0.74%) to 5,525.21, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 216.90 points (1.26%) to 17,382.94. Globally, MSCI’s stock index advanced 0.60%, while Europe’s STOXX 600 added 0.35%. Japan’s Nikkei jumped 1.8%, fully recovering from tariff-related losses.
The dollar logged its first weekly gain since March, rising 0.07% against a currency basket. It strengthened 0.67% against the yen to 143.555, while the euro edged down 0.11% to $1.1377. Gold prices dropped 1.7% to $3,292.99 an ounce, despite the dollar’s recovery.
U.S. Treasury yields slipped, with the benchmark 10-year note yield falling to 4.268%, reflecting hopes for a Federal Reserve rate cut. Oil prices edged higher but posted weekly losses, with Brent closing at $66.87 and WTI at $63.02 per barrel.
