Yen Slides as Japan Election Boosts Fiscal Stimulus Expectations 
Gold and Silver Prices Climb in Asian Trade as Markets Eye Key U.S. Economic Data 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Middle East Tensions 
Nikkei 225 Hits Record High Above 56,000 After Japan Election Boosts Market Confidence 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Australian Household Spending Dips in December as RBA Tightens Policy 
Asian Markets Surge as Japan Election, Fed Rate Cut Bets, and Tech Rally Lift Global Sentiment 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Markets Brace for Jobs and Inflation Data 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Oil surged to $47 a barrel Tuesday, its highest level since in March on Tuesday, due to AstraZeneca's promising coronavirus vaccine that spurred demand recovery hopes and US President-elect Joe Biden's transition to the White House.
AstraZeneca said its COVID-19 shot was 70 percent effective in trials and could be up to 90 percent effective.
Vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna have earlier recorded positive results against the coronavirus.
Brent crude gained 45 cents, or 1 percent, to $46.51 a barrel in morning trade and hit $46.72, its highest since March 6.
Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate crude jumped 47 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $43.53.
According to Tamas Varga of broker PVM, he expects next year’s oil demand estimates to be amended upwards as the fight against the coronavirus is intensifying and is proving to be increasingly successful.
Also boosting oil and financial markets was the US transitioning to a Joe Biden presidency.
