U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
U.S. Stocks Slip as Gold Rebounds Ahead of Year-End, Markets Eye 2026 Outlook 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech and Financial Stocks Weigh on Markets Amid Thin Holiday Trading 
Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
Singapore GDP Growth Surges in 2025 but Outlook Remains Cautious Amid Global Trade Risks 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
U.S. stocks ended nearly flat on Friday after a choppy trading session, as investors remained cautious ahead of a long holiday weekend and the early stages of fourth-quarter earnings season. Despite modest daily moves, all three major U.S. stock indexes recorded weekly losses, reflecting uncertainty around earnings, policy signals, and sector rotation.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 83.11 points, or 0.17%, to close at 49,359.33. The S&P 500 edged down 0.06% to 6,940.01, while the Nasdaq Composite also lost 0.06%, finishing at 23,515.39. For the week, the S&P 500 declined 0.38%, the Nasdaq fell 0.66%, and the Dow dropped 0.29%.
Healthcare stocks led sector declines on Friday, falling 0.8%, while semiconductor stocks outperformed. An index tracking chipmakers gained 1.2%, extending momentum from the prior session and highlighting ongoing strength in the technology supply chain. Financial stocks ended Friday slightly higher, but the sector posted its steepest weekly decline since October. Bank shares faced pressure amid concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed one-year cap on credit card interest rates at 10%, despite mostly solid earnings results from major U.S. banks.
Markets also reacted to comments from Trump suggesting he may retain economic adviser Kevin Hassett in his current role, easing speculation that Hassett could replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Investors viewed the remarks as a stabilizing signal for monetary policy expectations.
Trading volumes were elevated, with 18.77 billion shares changing hands, above the recent 20-day average. The Russell 2000 small-cap index continued to outperform, reaching another record closing high and gaining more than 2% for the week, as money rotated out of large-cap technology stocks into undervalued mid- and small-cap names.
Looking ahead, earnings season accelerates next week with reports from major companies including Netflix, Johnson & Johnson, and Intel. With markets closed Monday for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and monthly options expiration behind them, investors expect continued volatility in the near term, particularly during what has historically been a choppy period for U.S. stocks in mid-January.
