New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
BOJ Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Japan Signals Shift Toward Monetary Normalization 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
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 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip After CPI-Fueled Rally as Markets Weigh Economic Uncertainty 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Asian Markets Rebound as Tech Rally Lifts Wall Street, Investors Brace for BOJ Rate Hike 
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
Wall Street closed higher on Friday, marking its fifth consecutive day of gains, as investors reacted positively to easing U.S.-China trade tensions despite concerning economic data. The S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow all posted strong weekly performances, driven by optimism from a 90-day tariff truce between Washington and Beijing.
The S&P 500 climbed 0.70% to 5,958.38, the Dow rose 0.78% to 42,654.74, and the Nasdaq added 0.52% to close at 19,211.10. For the week, the S&P 500 jumped 5.3%, the Nasdaq surged 7.2%, and the Dow gained 3.4%.
However, consumer sentiment slipped. The University of Michigan’s index showed a decline in May, while one-year inflation expectations jumped to 7.3% from 6.5%. Despite the data, investors remained focused on the trade de-escalation and potential monetary policy shifts.
In extended trading, ETFs tracking the S&P 500 and Nasdaq dipped about 1% after Moody’s downgraded the U.S. credit rating, citing rising debt and interest payments. Market strategist Lindsey Bell noted that while the rally reflects optimism, volatility could persist due to tariff and economic uncertainties.
Energy was the only sector in the red (-0.18%), while healthcare led gains (+1.96%), buoyed by a 6.4% rebound in UnitedHealth Group after recent losses. Applied Materials fell 5.3% after missing revenue estimates, while Charter Communications rose 1.8% on news of a $21.9 billion deal to acquire Cox Communications. Verizon shares climbed 1.7% after the FCC approved its $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications.
Advancing stocks outpaced decliners on both the NYSE and Nasdaq, with robust trading volume totaling 17.61 billion shares—above the 20-session average.
Investors remain cautiously optimistic, awaiting further clarity on tariffs and U.S. tax policy amid political roadblocks in Congress.
