Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
South Korea has decided to extend its bond market stabilization programs through 2026, signaling a proactive effort to safeguard financial stability amid growing uncertainty in both domestic and global markets. The announcement was made on Monday by the Financial Services Commission (FSC), which cited risks stemming from shifts in monetary policy, increased government bond issuance, and heightened market volatility.
According to the FSC, bond and short-term money market stabilization funds totaling 37.6 trillion won (approximately $25.5 billion) will remain in place through next year. In addition, real estate project financing support programs worth 60.9 trillion won will also be extended, underscoring the government’s commitment to maintaining liquidity and preventing disruptions in key financial sectors. These measures were initially introduced to calm markets during periods of stress and are now being prolonged as precautionary tools.
The regulator noted that domestic financial markets are facing rising caution, driven by increasing bond yields and growing volatility in foreign exchange markets. As a result, the FSC emphasized that it stands ready to deploy additional market-stabilizing measures pre-emptively if conditions worsen. This approach reflects concerns about potential spillover effects from global monetary tightening and policy adjustments in major economies.
Meanwhile, the Bank of Korea has maintained a cautious stance on monetary policy. Last month, the central bank kept interest rates unchanged for the fourth consecutive meeting. While economic conditions might otherwise allow for further easing, a weakening Korean won has constrained the central bank’s flexibility. Officials have signaled that the rate-cutting cycle may be approaching its end, adding another layer of uncertainty for investors and policymakers.
By extending bond market stabilization programs and signaling readiness to intervene if needed, South Korea aims to bolster investor confidence, manage liquidity risks, and ensure orderly market conditions. These measures highlight the government’s focus on financial resilience at a time when global economic headwinds and domestic market pressures remain elevated.
