Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
U.S. stocks ended slightly lower Friday as markets reacted to President Donald Trump’s remarks on Chinese tariffs ahead of key trade talks this weekend in Switzerland. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 119.07 points (0.29%) to 41,249.38, the S&P 500 lost 4.03 points (0.07%) to 5,659.91, while the Nasdaq edged up 0.78 points to 17,928.92. For the week, the S&P 500 dropped 0.47%, the Nasdaq declined 0.27%, and the Dow fell 0.16%.
Trump suggested that an 80% tariff on Chinese imports "seems right," down from the current 145%, signaling potential policy shifts. Investors are closely watching for outcomes from the weekend discussions, which could either ease or escalate the ongoing U.S.-China trade war. Economists noted that any progress could significantly impact long-term global trade and inflation trends.
Markets remain volatile following Trump’s initial tariff announcements, though strong corporate earnings have helped cushion declines. About 76% of the 450 S&P 500 companies reporting so far have beaten analyst expectations, though many firms have issued cautious forward guidance due to trade uncertainties.
Energy stocks rose 1.1% as oil prices climbed ahead of the trade talks, while healthcare lagged, falling 1.1%. Expedia shares dropped 7.3% after missing revenue estimates.
Fed officials reiterated concerns over economic risks tied to trade tensions, echoing Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s recent statements. Meanwhile, India reportedly proposed cutting its tariff gap with the U.S. to under 4% in exchange for tariff relief.
Despite investor optimism from a U.S.-UK trade deal earlier in the week, a 10% baseline U.S. tariff remains on British imports. Market breadth was mixed, with the NYSE showing more advancers while the Nasdaq saw more decliners. Trading volume hit 16.03 billion shares, just below the 20-day average.
