Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
The Japanese yen strengthened 0.27% to 151.94 per dollar on Monday after Japan's Q4 GDP data exceeded expectations, fueling speculation of further rate hikes by the Bank of Japan (BOJ) in 2024. Traders are now pricing in 35 basis points of hikes by December, with analysts like Marcel Thieliant from Capital Economics forecasting more aggressive BOJ tightening.
Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar remained under pressure following weaker-than-expected retail sales data, reigniting bets for Federal Reserve rate cuts. The dollar index stood at 106.79, down 1.2% from last week. Optimism over a delay in Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs and ongoing Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia also weighed on the greenback. National Australia Bank's Rodrigo Catril noted that weaker U.S. data and geopolitical optimism are challenging the dollar's strength.
The euro edged closer to $1.05, trading at $1.0487, while the British pound remained steady at $1.2582.
In the Asia-Pacific region, the Australian dollar rose 0.07% to $0.6357 ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) rate decision on Tuesday. Markets expect a 25-basis point cut, the first in over four years, aligning the RBA with other central banks’ easing cycles. The New Zealand dollar also inched up 0.03% to $0.5734, with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand set to announce a 50-basis point rate cut on Wednesday.
As forex markets react to economic data and policy shifts, traders remain focused on global central bank actions, geopolitical developments, and U.S. economic performance.
