South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
U.S. Stocks Slip as Gold Rebounds Ahead of Year-End, Markets Eye 2026 Outlook 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
Citi Forecasts a Volatile but Ongoing Bull Market for S&P 500 in 2026 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
U.S. stock markets finished at record levels on Friday as investors digested a mixed December jobs report that still pointed to underlying economic strength. The S&P 500 closed at a fresh all-time high, reinforcing optimism around corporate earnings, economic growth, and potential future Federal Reserve rate cuts. By the end of trading at 4:00 p.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 237 points, or 0.5%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.6% to close at 6,963.21. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite outperformed with a 0.8% rise. For the week, the S&P 500 advanced more than 1%, while both the Dow and Nasdaq posted gains of roughly 2%.
Investor attention centered on the December U.S. jobs report, which showed the economy added 50,000 jobs, slightly below November’s revised figure of 56,000 and well under expectations of 66,000. The Labor Department also revised prior data, cutting a combined 76,000 jobs from October and November payroll estimates. Despite softer headline job growth, the unemployment rate edged down to 4.4%, beating forecasts of 4.5%. Analysts highlighted that household survey data painted a stronger picture, with employment rising by more than 230,000 and unemployment falling sharply, signaling continued labor market resilience.
Market participants are now recalibrating expectations for Federal Reserve policy. While the probability of a March interest rate cut appears lower following the data, economists note that upcoming employment and inflation reports could still support rate reductions later in the year if growth moderates and inflation remains contained.
Corporate and sector-specific news also boosted sentiment. Intel shares surged around 10% after President Donald Trump highlighted gains from the U.S. government’s stake in the chipmaker, sparking a broader rebound in semiconductor stocks. Homebuilder stocks rallied as mortgage rates dropped to their lowest level in three years, following Trump’s comments about potentially purchasing $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court did not issue an expected ruling on Trump-era tariffs. If overturned, analysts estimate the government could face up to $150 billion in refunds to importers, adding another layer of uncertainty for markets moving forward.
