Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Global equities ended the week under pressure as hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials dampened hopes for another interest rate cut in December. MSCI’s global stock index slipped, while Wall Street posted a muted performance, weighed down by rising U.S. Treasury yields and renewed inflation concerns.
The S&P 500 rebounded from early losses thanks to bargain hunters, even as major markets from Tokyo to Paris closed sharply lower. Investors were also rattled by uncertainty surrounding Britain’s upcoming budget, adding to the strain on UK markets.
Several Fed policymakers struck a cautious tone, citing persistent inflation and a stabilizing labor market after two rate cuts earlier this year. Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmid warned that inflation remains “too hot,” suggesting he could dissent if the Fed moves forward with a December cut. Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan also signaled opposition, echoing her stance from October.
Following the record-long U.S. government shutdown—now 43 days without official data—traders adjusted expectations, pricing in a roughly 46% chance of a December rate cut, down from nearly 67% last week, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
Despite market jitters, the tech-heavy Nasdaq managed to close slightly higher, supported by renewed interest in high-performing tech stocks. Nvidia gained 1.8%, while the S&P 600 tech index inched up 0.3%. Investors are bracing for a busy week ahead featuring earnings from major retailers and Nvidia, key indicators of consumer strength and AI demand.
The Dow fell 0.65% on the day, while the S&P 500 dipped 0.05% and the Nasdaq rose 0.13%. Global markets mirrored the cautious mood, with European and Asian indexes retreating.
In commodities, oil prices jumped over 2% after a Ukrainian drone attack disrupted exports at Russia’s Novorossiisk port. Meanwhile, gold prices fell sharply as Treasury yields climbed, with spot gold dropping over 2%.
Crypto markets also retreated, with bitcoin down nearly 4% and ethereum slightly lower.
