USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
Asian Markets End Year on AI Optimism as Precious Metals and Currencies Shine 
U.S. Stocks Slip as Gold Rebounds Ahead of Year-End, Markets Eye 2026 Outlook 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
Asian stock markets opened the new year on a positive note on Friday, with technology and semiconductor stocks leading gains across the region, despite subdued trading volumes caused by holiday closures in major markets. Investor sentiment was supported by renewed optimism around artificial intelligence, data centres, and advanced chip demand, which carried momentum from the end of last year into early 2026.
Hong Kong stocks led regional performance, with the Hang Seng Index jumping around 2% as technology and internet companies rallied strongly. The index ended 2025 with annual gains of more than 27%, underpinned by robust performances from Chinese tech firms and growing investor confidence in China’s push for self-reliance in semiconductor manufacturing. Continued investment in artificial intelligence and advanced computing has helped sustain interest in the sector despite broader economic uncertainties.
South Korea’s stock market also posted solid gains, with the KOSPI rising about 1.3%. Shares of major chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix climbed between 2.5% and 4%, reflecting strong global demand for semiconductors used in artificial intelligence, data centres, and high-performance computing. The KOSPI was one of the world’s best-performing major indices in 2025, surging more than 75% over the year, largely driven by the global AI boom and South Korea’s dominance in memory chip production.
Elsewhere in Asia, trading activity remained light as Japan and mainland China stayed closed for public holidays. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged up 0.2%, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index gained around 0.4%, supported by modest buying in blue-chip stocks. Futures linked to India’s Nifty 50 also pointed to a firmer open, rising approximately 0.2%.
Globally, technology stocks regained momentum toward the end of 2025 as optimism around artificial intelligence investment intensified. Strong gains in U.S. tech shares in late December helped lift Asian market sentiment, reinforcing expectations that AI-related sectors will remain a key driver of equity market performance in 2026.
