Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
Asian currencies saw modest gains on Thursday as the U.S. dollar softened, driven by rising expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next month. The U.S. Dollar Index slipped around 0.1% in Asian trading after two sessions of sharp declines, reflecting weakening dollar momentum as traders increase their bets on policy easing.
Market pricing now suggests an 86% probability of a 25-basis-point Fed rate cut, although investors remain cautious. A prolonged U.S. government shutdown has delayed key economic data releases, creating gaps in understanding current economic conditions. Mixed messages from Fed policymakers have added to this uncertainty—some officials say inflation is easing enough to justify near-term rate cuts, while others warn against loosening policy too soon.
Markets are also reacting to speculation about potential Fed leadership changes, including reports that Kevin Hassett is being considered for the chair position—an appointment traders view as potentially more dovish.
A weaker dollar supported select Asian currencies. The Japanese yen strengthened, with USD/JPY down 0.3%, amid rising expectations that the Bank of Japan may raise rates as early as next month, especially after the yen hit a 10-month low last week. The Australian dollar gained 0.3%, while the New Zealand dollar rose 0.5%. Meanwhile, the Chinese yuan and Singapore dollar remained largely steady.
In South Korea, the Bank of Korea held its benchmark rate at 2.50%, marking a fourth consecutive meeting without a cut. The South Korean won strengthened, with USD/KRW falling 0.5%, as policymakers kept policy tight to counter inflation and currency pressure.
In India, the Reserve Bank of India is widely expected to deliver a 25-basis-point cut on December 5. The Indian rupee edged up 0.1% ahead of the meeting.
Overall, sentiment in Asian currency markets remains cautiously optimistic, with traders watching for delayed U.S. data, clearer Fed policy signals, and confirmation of any leadership changes that could influence global rate expectations.
