Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Most Asian stocks edged higher on Wednesday, led by strong gains in Chinese markets after news of upcoming U.S.-China trade talks boosted hopes for easing trade tensions. The Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 indexes each rose 0.5%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng surged 1.5%, outperforming regional peers.
The positive momentum followed confirmation that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will meet Chinese officials in Switzerland this week. This marks the most concrete step toward deescalation since the trade war intensified in April, although steep tariffs on both sides remain in place. Investor sentiment was also supported by the People’s Bank of China’s move to cut banks’ reserve requirements, signaling more stimulus for the economy.
Despite overnight losses on Wall Street, U.S. stock index futures rebounded in Asian trading, with S&P 500 Futures up 0.6%, driven by optimism over renewed trade dialogue. However, markets remained cautious ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision later in the day, with expectations of steady interest rates and no immediate policy changes.
Indian markets were in focus after military tensions with Pakistan escalated. Despite the conflict, Gift Nifty 50 Futures rose 0.5%, pointing to a resilient open. India claimed strikes on terrorist camps, while Pakistan reported retaliatory actions, including the downing of five Indian aircraft.
Elsewhere in Asia, broader markets saw modest gains. Japan’s Nikkei 225 and TOPIX rose 0.3% and 0.4%, respectively. South Korea’s KOSPI added 0.4%, and Australia’s ASX 200 gained 0.2%. However, Singapore’s Straits Times Index slipped 0.2%, dragged down by United Overseas Bank after disappointing earnings.
Overall, trade optimism and monetary easing supported Asian equities, despite lingering geopolitical and economic risks.
