Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
The Japanese yen firmed on Thursday, reaching a two-month high of 150.62 per U.S. dollar, as investors sought safe-haven assets amid concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff agenda. The dollar held steady, while the euro and sterling eased, with the British pound slipping to $1.2594.
Trump announced upcoming tariffs on timber, cars, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals, echoing previous remarks about imposing a 25% tariff on autos and similar duties on other sectors. Investors remain cautious about the potential economic impact, though markets have grown accustomed to his transactional approach. Meanwhile, Trump also pledged tax cuts for individuals and businesses, adding to market uncertainty.
Federal Reserve minutes revealed officials’ concerns about inflation risks tied to Trump’s trade and immigration policies, reinforcing a patient stance on rate cuts. The dollar index hovered near a one-week high at 107.15.
In the Asia-Pacific region, the Australian dollar edged up 0.07% to $0.6350 after a mixed jobs report, while the New Zealand dollar remained flat at $0.5705. Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor Adrian Orr stated that another 50-basis-point rate cut would require a significant economic shock.
China left its benchmark lending rates unchanged, prioritizing financial and currency stability. The offshore yuan gained 0.1% to 7.2788 per dollar.
Geopolitical tensions also influenced market sentiment after Trump referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as a “dictator” amid ongoing Russia-Ukraine negotiations. Investors remain watchful as uncertainty looms over global trade, central bank policies, and geopolitical developments.
