Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Retreats After Fed Decision 
Indonesian Stocks Slide After MSCI Flags Investability Risks and Downgrade Threat 
South Korea Industry Minister Heads to Washington Amid U.S. Tariff Hike Concerns 
Philippine Economy Slows in Late 2025, Raising Expectations of Further Rate Cuts 
Copper Prices Hit Record Highs as Metals Rally Gains Momentum on Geopolitical Tensions 
RBA Expected to Raise Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points in February, ANZ Forecast Says 
China to Boost Brazilian Soybean Imports in Early 2026 Amid Price Advantage 
UK Housing Market Gains Momentum in Early 2026 as Mortgage Rates Fall 
Dollar Struggles as Policy Uncertainty Weighs on Markets Despite Official Support 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady as Fed Decision and Big Tech Earnings Loom 
Oil Prices Climb as U.S. Cold Snap, Dollar Weakness Tighten Supply Outlook 
ECB’s Cipollone Backs Digital Euro as Europe Pushes for Payment System Independence 
MAS Holds Monetary Policy Steady as Strong Growth Raises Inflation Risks 
Dollar Slumps to Four-Year Lows as Trump Shrugs Off Weakness, Fueling Confidence Crisis 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Lower as Tech Earnings and Fed Decision Shape Market Sentiment 
Indonesian Stocks Plunge as MSCI Downgrade Risk Sparks Investor Exodus 
U.S. and Taiwan Strengthen AI, Semiconductor, and Drone Cooperation at High-Level Economic Talks 
Asian shares climbed for a seventh consecutive month on Friday, driven by strong earnings from Amazon and Apple that lifted Wall Street sentiment and supported U.S. futures. Nasdaq futures surged 1.2%, while S&P 500 futures rose 0.6%, after Amazon reported stellar quarterly results that boosted its shares by 13%, adding over $300 billion in market value. Apple gained 2.3% as upbeat iPhone sales guidance exceeded expectations, offsetting concerns over rising AI-related expenses at Meta and Microsoft.
Six of the “Magnificent Seven” U.S. tech giants have now reported mixed results, with Nvidia—the world’s first $5 trillion company—set to release earnings in three weeks. According to Capital.com analyst Kyle Rodda, improved earnings from Apple and Amazon have brightened market sentiment heading into Asian trade, even as uncertainty lingers over interest rate outlooks and economic data.
MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index outside Japan gained 0.2%, marking a 1.8% weekly and 4.7% monthly rise. Japan’s Nikkei jumped 1.1%, capping weekly and monthly gains of 5.2% and 15.5%, respectively. However, Chinese markets lagged as weak October factory data weighed on confidence. The official PMI slipped to 49, below expectations, signaling contraction. Chinese blue chips fell 0.4%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 0.3%.
A recent U.S.-China summit between Presidents Trump and Xi resulted in reduced tariffs, resumed U.S. soybean purchases, and continued Chinese rare earth exports, though investors viewed it as a tactical truce rather than a breakthrough.
In currency markets, the U.S. dollar hovered near three-month highs at 99.459, supported by steady Treasury yields. The euro edged up to $1.1572 after the European Central Bank held rates at 2%.
Meanwhile, Brent crude slipped 0.5% to $64.67 per barrel, and gold held at $4,033.48 per ounce, despite weekly losses, as investors weighed stronger dollar pressures against safe-haven demand.
