Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
U.S. stock index futures steadied Monday evening after Wall Street saw losses, driven by a tech sell-off ahead of Nvidia’s earnings. Concerns over a slowing U.S. economy and looming trade tariffs under Donald Trump further pressured sentiment.
S&P 500 Futures held at 6,002.50 points, Nasdaq 100 Futures dipped 0.1% to 21,401.0, while Dow Jones Futures edged up 0.1% to 43,578.0.
Tech stocks were the biggest drag, with Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) shedding another 3% as investors took profits after its massive rally. The AI chip leader is set to report earnings Wednesday, with markets closely watching whether demand for AI chips remains robust. However, recent concerns over capital investment in AI, especially following China’s DeepSeek launch, weighed on sentiment.
Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) dropped 1% after TD Cowen reported the company had canceled several data center leases, signaling a potential slowdown in AI and cloud spending. Still, Microsoft and other major AI players plan to invest billions in AI infrastructure through 2025. Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) also pledged $500 billion over four years to enhance its AI, engineering, and U.S. manufacturing capabilities.
On Monday, Wall Street extended losses amid weak consumer sentiment data and trade war fears. Trump reaffirmed plans to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada next week, fueling economic uncertainty. The S&P 500 fell 0.5% to 5,983.49, while the Nasdaq slid 1.2% to 19,286.93. The Dow Jones managed a slight gain, closing at 43,461.95.
With Nvidia’s earnings on the horizon and trade tensions escalating, investors remain cautious, awaiting key market signals.
