Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Asian stock markets moved mostly sideways on Monday as thin year-end trading volumes and reduced investor participation kept activity muted across the region. With many global investors already having completed year-end positioning, markets lacked strong catalysts, resulting in tight trading ranges despite generally positive sentiment around global monetary policy easing.
Investor confidence was supported by expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve could continue cutting interest rates into 2026 following its recent policy move. Lower interest rate forecasts have helped underpin risk appetite globally, particularly benefiting equities in emerging markets and interest rate–sensitive sectors. However, caution prevailed in Asia as traders awaited clearer signals on global growth and policy direction heading into the new year.
U.S. markets offered limited direction. Wall Street indices closed marginally lower on Friday, though optimism around a potential “Santa Claus rally” remained intact. Meanwhile, U.S. stock index futures traded largely flat during Asian hours, reinforcing the subdued regional mood.
South Korea stood out as a notable outperformer. The benchmark KOSPI index surged 1.7%, driven by strong gains in heavyweight technology stocks. Chipmaker SK Hynix jumped nearly 6% after being removed from an investment warning list, boosting confidence in the semiconductor sector. Samsung Electronics also advanced around 1.5%, adding further support to the index.
Elsewhere in Asia, movements were modest. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.3%, while the broader TOPIX edged up 0.1%. China’s Shanghai Composite gained 0.3%, reflecting cautious optimism, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose 0.4%. Singapore’s Straits Times Index remained largely flat, India’s Nifty 50 was little changed, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.3%.
As Asia approaches 2026, investors are increasingly focused on how U.S. interest rate cuts, global economic growth trends, and regional policy developments will shape market performance. While near-term trading remains quiet, expectations of easier monetary conditions continue to provide a supportive backdrop for Asian equities.
