South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
Citi Forecasts a Volatile but Ongoing Bull Market for S&P 500 in 2026 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
U.S. Stocks Slip as Gold Rebounds Ahead of Year-End, Markets Eye 2026 Outlook 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Singapore GDP Growth Surges in 2025 but Outlook Remains Cautious Amid Global Trade Risks 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
Asian currencies traded mostly flat on Tuesday as investors remained cautious amid the prolonged U.S. government shutdown, while Japan’s yen weakened sharply following the election of fiscal dove Sanae Takaichi as the new leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
The U.S. Dollar Index edged up 0.1%, extending modest gains from Monday, with Dollar Index Futures steady around 04:30 GMT.
The Japanese yen hit a two-month low, with the USD/JPY pair climbing to 150.62 after surging nearly 2% on Monday. Takaichi’s weekend victory paves the way for her to become Japan’s next prime minister, reinforcing expectations of continued ultra-loose monetary policy. Known for her support of aggressive fiscal spending, Takaichi has criticized the Bank of Japan’s rate hikes as “stupid,” signaling a likely continuation of accommodative policy under her leadership.
Analysts at ING noted that the yen’s sharp decline reflected market surprise at Takaichi’s win but warned that sustained weakness could raise Japan’s import costs and strain relations with Washington. They expect any move above the 150 level to be temporary rather than the start of a lasting rally.
Across Asia, trading was subdued as investors awaited the release of the Federal Reserve’s September meeting minutes. With the U.S. government shutdown extending into its second week, the delay of key economic data weighed on market sentiment. The Singapore dollar and Australian dollar inched lower, while the South Korean won and Chinese yuan traded largely unchanged.
The Indian rupee hovered near record lows, with the USD/INR pair up 0.1%. Analysts cautioned that limited data releases this week would keep markets focused on broader macroeconomic developments.
