Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Policy Clues in Holiday-Thinned Trade 
Oil Prices Slide in 2025 as Oversupply and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech and Financial Stocks Weigh on Markets Amid Thin Holiday Trading 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
U.S. stock futures fell sharply on Monday as fresh tariff threats from President Donald Trump rattled global financial markets, pushing investors toward traditional safe-haven assets such as gold, the Japanese yen, and the Swiss franc. The renewed trade tensions, centered on Europe and linked to U.S. demands over Greenland, sparked concerns about a broader U.S.-Europe trade war and its potential impact on global economic growth.
Thin trading conditions, due to a U.S. holiday that closed equity and bond markets, amplified market moves. S&P 500 futures dropped 0.7%, while Nasdaq futures slid 1.0%. European markets followed suit, with EUROSTOXX 50 futures and Germany’s DAX futures both declining 1.1%. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei index fell 1.0%, and MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index outside Japan edged 0.1% lower.
Trump announced plans to impose an additional 10% tariff on imports from eight European countries starting February 1, escalating to 25% by June if no agreement is reached. The targeted nations include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and Britain. European leaders condemned the move as economic blackmail, while France floated the idea of using previously untested countermeasures, including the EU’s Anti-Coercion Instrument and suspended tariffs on $108 billion worth of U.S. goods.
Currency markets reflected the risk-off mood. The dollar weakened against the yen and Swiss franc, while the euro and British pound managed modest rebounds. Gold surged 1.5% to a record high of $4,664 an ounce, and silver also hit new highs as investors sought safety. Oil prices slipped on fears that escalating trade tensions could curb global demand, with Brent crude falling to $63.84 a barrel and U.S. crude to $59.18.
Looking ahead, investors are watching key events including China’s economic growth data, the Bank of Japan policy meeting, delayed U.S. inflation figures, and a busy corporate earnings season featuring major companies like Netflix, Johnson & Johnson, General Electric, and Intel. All eyes will also be on the World Economic Forum in Davos, where global leaders, including Trump, are set to meet amid heightened economic uncertainty.
