China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
U.S. stocks climbed on Friday, boosted by stronger-than-expected job growth and optimism over renewed U.S.-China trade talks. The S&P 500 closed above 6,000 for the first time since February, led by gains in technology stocks.
Nonfarm payrolls rose by 139,000 in May, surpassing forecasts of 130,000, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%. The report eased concerns over economic slowdown and led traders to believe the Federal Reserve will likely delay interest rate cuts until September. The Fed meets later this month.
Investors were also encouraged after President Donald Trump announced that three cabinet officials will meet Chinese representatives in London on June 9 to discuss a trade agreement. Although his recent conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping left several issues unresolved, markets welcomed the diplomatic progress.
The S&P 500 gained 61.02 points (1.03%) to close at 6,000.32, while the Dow Jones rose 442.88 points (1.05%) to 42,762.62. The Nasdaq jumped 231.50 points (1.20%) to 19,529.95. For the week, the S&P rose 1.5%, the Dow 1.17%, and the Nasdaq 2.18%.
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) rebounded 3.8% after plunging 15% on Thursday amid a public feud between Trump and Elon Musk. Other tech giants saw gains: Amazon rose 2.7% and Alphabet climbed 3.25%.
Wells Fargo jumped 1.9% after S&P Global upgraded its outlook to “positive.” In contrast, Broadcom fell 5% following a weak revenue forecast, and Lululemon plunged 19.8% after slashing its profit outlook due to rising tariff-related costs.
Market breadth was strong, with advancing issues outpacing decliners by over 2-to-1 on both the NYSE and Nasdaq. Trading volume remained light at 14.5 billion shares, below the 20-session average.
