BOJ Minutes Reveal Growing Debate Over Interest Rate Hikes and Inflation Risks 
IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement With Egypt, Opening Path to $3.8 Billion in Funding 
Asian Markets Rise as AI Rally Caps 2025, Gold and Silver Hit Record Highs 
Gold Prices Surge to Record Highs as Geopolitical Tensions Fuel Safe-Haven Demand 
U.S. Dollar Slips as Yen Finds Support on Intervention Signals and Geopolitical Risks Rise 
German Exports to the U.S. Decline Sharply as Tariffs Reshape Trade in 2025 
Japan Plans $189 Billion Bond Issuance as Record Budget Signals Expansionary Fiscal Policy 
U.S. Stocks Rally to Record Highs as AI Rebound Fuels Holiday-Shortened Session 
Asian Stock Markets Trade Flat as Holiday Liquidity Thins and BOJ Minutes Watched 
Global Demand for Yuan Loans and Bonds Surges as China Pushes Currency Internationalization 
UK Economy Grows 0.1% in Q3 2025 as Outlook Remains Fragile 
Yen Stabilizes Near Lows as Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene Amid Dollar Weakness 
Oil Prices Ease in Asia as Geopolitical Risks Clash With Weak Demand Outlook 
South Korea Central Bank Warns of Rising Financial Stability Risks Amid Won Volatility 
China Keeps Benchmark Lending Rates Steady as Economic Outlook Remains Cautious 
RBA Signals Possible Interest Rate Hike in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist 
The S&P 500 closed higher Tuesday as tech stocks rebounded, shifting investor focus to the Federal Reserve’s policy decision. The Dow Jones rose 136 points (0.3%), while the S&P 500 gained 0.9%, and the Nasdaq surged 2%.
AI chip leader Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) led the recovery after suffering a record $593 billion loss in market value Monday. Concerns over Chinese AI startup Deepseek disrupting U.S. AI dominance were downplayed, with analysts suggesting that cheaper AI solutions could drive broader adoption. The rally comes as big tech giants, including Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Meta (NASDAQ:META), Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), and Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA), prepare to report earnings this week.
On the earnings front, General Motors (NYSE:GM) fell nearly 9% after posting a fourth-quarter loss due to China-related charges. JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ:JBLU) plunged 26% following weak revenue guidance, while Royal Caribbean (NYSE:RCL) soared 12% on strong Q4 earnings and a positive 2025 outlook. Boeing (NYSE:BA) gained 1.5% after CEO Kelly Ortberg outlined a turnaround strategy despite the company’s largest annual loss since 2020.
Investors now await the Federal Reserve’s decision, with expectations that borrowing costs will remain unchanged. The Fed previously lowered rates, bringing the benchmark rate to 4.25%-4.50%. Key economic data, including the PCE price index and Q4 GDP estimates, are also due this week.
Meanwhile, U.S. housing data showed single-family home prices rose 0.3% in November, slowing from October’s 0.5% gain, reflecting the impact of higher mortgage rates.
Markets remain focused on earnings and macroeconomic signals, with tech stocks driving optimism ahead of the Fed’s announcement.
