RBA Signals Possible Interest Rate Hike in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Oil Prices Ease in Asia as Geopolitical Risks Clash With Weak Demand Outlook 
BOJ Governor Signals Gradual Rate Hikes as Japan’s Inflation Nears 2% Target 
Japan Revises Economic Growth Forecast as Stimulus Fuels Consumption and Investment 
U.S. Stocks Rally to Record Highs as AI Rebound Fuels Holiday-Shortened Session 
South Korea Central Bank Warns of Rising Financial Stability Risks Amid Won Volatility 
Gold Prices Surge to Record Highs as Geopolitical Tensions Fuel Safe-Haven Demand 
UK Economy Grows 0.1% in Q3 2025 as Outlook Remains Fragile 
China’s Power Market Revamp Fuels Global Boom in Energy Storage Batteries 
Gold Price Breaks $4,500 as Safe-Haven Demand and Rate Cut Bets Fuel Rally 
BOJ Minutes Reveal Growing Debate Over Interest Rate Hikes and Inflation Risks 
Global Markets Rise as Tech Stocks Lead, Yen Strengthens, and Commodities Hit Record Highs 
Wall Street Ends Higher as S&P 500, Nasdaq Extend Gains Ahead of Holiday Week 
China Keeps Benchmark Lending Rates Steady as Economic Outlook Remains Cautious 
U.S. Dollar Slips as Yen Finds Support on Intervention Signals and Geopolitical Risks Rise 
The S&P 500 closed higher Tuesday as investors balanced strong earnings with rising US-China trade tensions. The Dow gained 142 points (0.3%), the S&P 500 climbed 0.72%, and the Nasdaq surged 262 points (1.4%).
President Trump postponed 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico but imposed a 10% duty on Chinese goods, prompting Beijing to retaliate. China imposed tariffs on US coal, LNG, crude oil, and automobiles while restricting rare earth exports, escalating trade war concerns. Beijing also blacklisted PVH Corp (NYSE:PVH) and Illumina (NASDAQ:ILMN) and launched an antitrust probe into Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG).
Wall Street remains cautious about Fed rate cuts, with Morgan Stanley now predicting only one in 2025. Meanwhile, earnings reports drove market movements. PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP) dropped 4.5% on weak revenue growth, while Spotify (NYSE:SPOT) soared 13.3% on strong Q4 results. Palantir (NASDAQ:PLTR) surged 24% on AI-driven revenue forecasts. Estee Lauder (NYSE:EL) fell 16% due to weak Asian retail sales, and Merck (NYSE:MRK) slipped 9% after pausing Gardasil shipments to China.
All eyes are on Alphabet’s post-market earnings, with investors eager for AI spending updates amid competition from China's DeepSeek.
Oil prices dipped as trade tensions threatened economic growth. WTI crude fell 0.49% to $72.80 per barrel. Despite global concerns, OPEC+ upheld production plans, keeping output cuts in place until April.
Markets remain volatile as earnings and economic policies shape investor sentiment.
