U.S. Stocks Rally to Record Highs as AI Rebound Fuels Holiday-Shortened Session 
US and Japan Fast-Track $550 Billion Strategic Investment Initiative 
Asian Stocks Rise as Wall Street Tech Rally Lifts Markets, Yen Slumps Despite BOJ Rate Hike 
BOJ Minutes Reveal Growing Debate Over Interest Rate Hikes and Inflation Risks 
Asian Stock Markets Trade Flat as Holiday Liquidity Thins and BOJ Minutes Watched 
Global Markets Rise as Tech Stocks Lead, Yen Strengthens, and Commodities Hit Record Highs 
Japan Signals Possible Yen Intervention as Currency Weakens Despite BOJ Rate Hike 
Wall Street Ends Higher as S&P 500, Nasdaq Extend Gains Ahead of Holiday Week 
Gold Price Breaks $4,500 as Safe-Haven Demand and Rate Cut Bets Fuel Rally 
China’s Power Market Revamp Fuels Global Boom in Energy Storage Batteries 
German Exports to the U.S. Decline Sharply as Tariffs Reshape Trade in 2025 
Platinum Price Surges Past $2,000 as Demand and Supply Dynamics Tighten 
RBA Signals Possible Interest Rate Hike in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Why U.S. Coffee Prices Are Staying High Despite Trump’s Tariff Rollbacks 
Oil Prices Ease in Asia as Geopolitical Risks Clash With Weak Demand Outlook 
Global Demand for Yuan Loans and Bonds Surges as China Pushes Currency Internationalization 
Asian Markets Gain as China’s Fiscal Stimulus Talks Begin
Most Asian stocks rose on Monday, driven by investor anticipation of further fiscal stimulus discussions from China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee meeting. However, market gains were tempered by risk aversion ahead of the U.S. elections and the Federal Reserve meeting this week.
Low Trading Volumes and Market Sentiment
Trading volumes were light due to a public holiday in Japan, with the Nikkei 225 futures slipping 0.2%. Asian markets were buoyed by Friday’s U.S. nonfarm payroll report, which came in softer than expected, fueling speculation that a cooling U.S. job market might prompt further Federal Reserve rate cuts.
Chinese Stocks Upbeat on Fiscal Stimulus Expectations
China’s Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite indexes advanced 0.5% and 0.3%, respectively, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.7%. Investors are closely monitoring the NPC meeting, where the committee is anticipated to propose substantial fiscal spending, including potential debt issuance of up to $1.4 trillion. Such measures aim to address deflationary pressures and revitalize China’s struggling property sector.
Australia Stocks Rise, Eyes on Reserve Bank
Australia’s ASX 200 edged up 0.3%, as investors await Tuesday's Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) meeting. While the RBA is expected to maintain current rates, it may hint at hawkish policies due to persistent inflation. According to ANZ analysts, the bank does not anticipate beginning rate cuts until 2025.
Mixed Performance Across Asia
South Korea’s KOSPI led gains, rising 1.4% on strong chip stocks. In India, Nifty 50 futures indicated a flat start, with market focus shifting to upcoming earnings reports.
