U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
BOJ Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Japan Signals Shift Toward Monetary Normalization 
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
Asian share markets rebounded on Friday, tracking a recovery on Wall Street as a turnaround in technology stocks boosted global risk sentiment. Investors, however, remained cautious ahead of a widely anticipated interest rate hike from the Bank of Japan (BOJ), a move that could trigger volatility in currencies and bond markets.
Market sentiment was also supported by a surprise slowdown in U.S. consumer price inflation, which eased to 2.7%. While the softer inflation print briefly lifted confidence, analysts warned the data may be distorted by the recent U.S. government shutdown and should not be taken at face value. As a result, expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts shifted only slightly, with markets pricing in a 27% chance of a cut in January and a 58% probability by March.
Attention in Asia remained firmly on Japan, where markets are pricing in around a 90% chance that the BOJ will raise interest rates by 25 basis points to 0.75%. Investors currently expect only one additional rate hike to 1.0% in 2026, but any signal of faster policy normalization could strengthen the yen while adding pressure to Japanese government bonds. Japan’s latest data showed core consumer inflation holding steady at 3.0% in November, well above the BOJ’s 2% target.
Japan’s Nikkei index rose 0.6%, while South Korean shares climbed 1.2%, supported by strong earnings from chipmaker Micron Technology. The broader MSCI Asia-Pacific index outside Japan gained 0.2%. U.S. stock futures were flat after overnight gains, and Treasury yields steadied near recent highs.
In global markets, central banks sent mixed signals. The Bank of England cut rates by a narrow margin, while the European Central Bank maintained a more hawkish stance, dampening expectations for further easing. Currency markets were largely stable, with the dollar steady against the yen.
Commodities were mixed, as gold prices hovered below recent highs, oil edged higher on geopolitical risks, and industrial metals showed continued demand.
