U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
Asian Markets End Year on AI Optimism as Precious Metals and Currencies Shine 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Policy Clues in Holiday-Thinned Trade 
Oil Prices Slide in 2025 as Oversupply and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
Citi Forecasts a Volatile but Ongoing Bull Market for S&P 500 in 2026 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Singapore GDP Growth Surges in 2025 but Outlook Remains Cautious Amid Global Trade Risks 
U.S. stock index futures rose slightly on Thursday evening as investors maintained expectations for further Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, shifting their attention toward the upcoming third-quarter earnings season. The modest gains followed a soft Wall Street session, where markets paused after a record-breaking rally driven by tech optimism and artificial intelligence momentum.
As of 19:07 ET (23:07 GMT), S&P 500 futures gained 0.1% to 6,784.50, Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 0.1% to 23,312.75, and Dow Jones futures edged up 0.1% to 46,628.0. The S&P 500 closed Thursday down 0.3% at 6,735.11, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.1% to 23,024.63, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.5% to 46,358.42.
Tech stocks, including NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA), have been the primary catalyst for recent market strength, buoyed by increased investment and chip supply deals linked to AI development. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE: TSM) also added support after reporting strong third-quarter revenue, with investors awaiting its full earnings report next week.
Market sentiment was further shaped by comments from Federal Reserve officials. New York Fed President John Williams expressed support for additional rate cuts, citing a weakening labor market. Minutes from the Fed’s September meeting revealed that while policymakers broadly agreed on more easing, opinions differed on how deep the cuts should go. Fed Chair Jerome Powell offered limited guidance, but traders largely continued to price in a 98% chance of a 25-basis-point rate cut in October, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
Looking ahead, attention turns to the Q3 earnings season beginning next week. Major financial institutions including JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM), Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC), Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), Citigroup (NYSE: C), and BlackRock (NYSE: BLK) are set to report Tuesday. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), ASML Holding (AS: ASML), Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) will follow midweek. Investors will watch closely to assess how trade tariffs and economic disruptions have impacted corporate profits.
