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RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian stocks mostly rose on Tuesday, buoyed by growing hopes that U.S. President Donald Trump will expand tariff exemptions, especially for the tech and auto sectors. However, gains were tempered by ongoing trade uncertainty and warnings that any exemptions may be temporary.
Japan’s Nikkei 225, South Korea’s KOSPI, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index led regional advances, each gaining between 0.9% and 1.3%, driven by strong performances in technology and automobile stocks. The Taiwan Weighted Index also rose by around 1%. Wall Street’s back-to-back gains and upbeat U.S. bank earnings further supported market sentiment.
The rally in tech stocks followed White House indications that electronics could be excluded from Trump's 145% reciprocal tariffs on China—offering near-term relief for the sector. Still, Trump later clarified the electronics exemption was only temporary and hinted at new tariffs, dampening sentiment. Auto stocks also surged after Trump signaled he may scale back his proposed 25% auto tariffs to mitigate economic impact.
Major automakers with U.S. exposure rallied, with Japan’s Honda and Toyota jumping nearly 5%, and South Korea’s Hyundai gaining 3.7%. Broader optimism over potential tariff rollbacks supported markets across Asia. Australia’s ASX 200 rose 0.5% despite Collins Foods Ltd slumping over 4% on impairment concerns in its Netherlands operations.
Chinese markets remained volatile amid trade tensions. The Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 fell about 0.3%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was flat. Beijing’s 125% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods weighed on sentiment, as did concerns over the country's economic outlook. Analysts have started trimming growth forecasts ahead of China’s Q1 GDP release on Wednesday, which will reflect the impact of recent stimulus efforts.
Investors remain cautious with low trading volumes expected before the Good Friday holiday.
