U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Policy Clues in Holiday-Thinned Trade 
Asian Markets End Year on AI Optimism as Precious Metals and Currencies Shine 
Singapore GDP Growth Surges in 2025 but Outlook Remains Cautious Amid Global Trade Risks 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech and Financial Stocks Weigh on Markets Amid Thin Holiday Trading 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
Japan’s Nikkei 225 slid on Friday, erasing its gains for the week and diverging from mostly positive Asian markets as investors turned cautious ahead of a crucial U.S. inflation reading that could influence the Federal Reserve’s next move. European markets pointed to a muted open, with EURO STOXX 50 and FTSE futures largely unchanged, while Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures posted modest gains.
The Nikkei fell 1.3% after weaker household spending data underscored persistent inflation pressures and fueled expectations of a Bank of Japan rate hike later this month. The index was poised to finish the week flat. Japan’s 10-year government bond yield briefly touched 1.94%—its highest level since 2007—before easing to 1.93%. The benchmark yield was on track for its sharpest weekly rise since March, though solid auction demand signaled that cheaper bond prices continue to attract buyers. Market strategist Nigel Green noted that capital flows are shifting and long-held assumptions about the yen are being challenged as Japan edges toward policy normalization.
Investors now see a 75% probability of a quarter-point BoJ rate hike, supported by comments from Governor Kazuo Ueda, who said the central bank would evaluate the “pros and cons” of tightening. Reuters sources also indicated government tolerance for a December hike. The yen strengthened, pushing the dollar down 0.3% to 154.61.
Across Asia, the MSCI Asia-Pacific index outside Japan rose 0.4% and was on pace for a 1% weekly gain, buoyed by a 1.4% climb in South Korean equities.
The U.S. dollar extended its recent weakness, pressured by expectations of a Fed rate cut next week. Markets are pricing a 90% chance of a quarter-point reduction despite deep divisions among policymakers. Investors now await the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge—the PCE price index—with forecasts pointing to a 0.2% rise in core inflation.
Treasury yields edged lower after Thursday’s increase, while oil prices dipped and gold ticked higher, though both were set for mixed weekly performance.
