Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
The U.S. trade deficit surged in December as imports hit a record high, driven by businesses rushing to secure foreign-made goods ahead of potential tariffs. The deficit jumped 24.7% to $98.4 billion, the highest since March 2022, as imports climbed 3.5% to $364.9 billion, largely due to increased purchases of finished metals and computers.
The Commerce Department reported significant deficits with China, Mexico, and Canada, all of which have faced tariff threats. President Trump suspended a 25% tariff on Mexican and Canadian goods until next month, while a 10% tariff on Chinese goods took effect Tuesday. Economists suggest businesses may continue stockpiling imports, keeping the deficit elevated.
Capital Economics' Thomas Ryan noted that despite expectations for an export rebound, the trade gap will likely remain wide. Goods imports soared 4% to $293.1 billion, with industrial supplies and materials rising by $10.8 billion, largely from Switzerland. Some analysts believe this surge isn’t solely due to tariff concerns.
Exports fell 2.6% to $266.5 billion, with goods exports declining 4.2%, the most since May 2020. Capital goods, industrial supplies, and consumer goods saw sharp declines, contributing to an 18.2% increase in the goods trade deficit to a record $123.0 billion.
The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reported that businesses are worried about rising costs and supply shortages from tariffs. Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury yields fell, and Wall Street stocks climbed.
Despite the trade deficit’s impact, the U.S. economy grew at a 2.3% annualized rate in Q4, down from 3.1% in the previous quarter. Analysts see little risk of major GDP revisions but warn that prolonged tariff uncertainty could disrupt economic momentum.
