Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Asian currencies gained ground on Monday while the US dollar slipped as investors turned cautious ahead of a looming deadline that could trigger a partial U.S. government shutdown. Market focus also remained on key monetary policy decisions this week from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The US Dollar Index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of major peers, fell 0.2% in early Asian trade. Futures linked to the index also traded lower by the same margin at 04:17 GMT. Investors are closely watching whether Congress can pass a funding bill before the fiscal year ends, with failure likely resulting in a shutdown beginning Wednesday. U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet lawmakers later Monday in a bid to avert the crisis.
A shutdown would immediately impact government operations and financial markets, particularly delaying crucial economic data such as the September nonfarm payrolls report, due Friday. Market participants fear prolonged disruption could weigh on investor sentiment and increase volatility.
Asian foreign exchange markets strengthened as traders speculated that U.S. political uncertainty may drive near-term outflows from U.S. assets. The Japanese yen rose 0.4% against the dollar, while the Singapore dollar gained 0.1%. The South Korean won advanced 0.4%, and the Indonesian rupiah firmed 0.3%. Both the onshore and offshore Chinese yuan also edged higher, with USD/CNY down 0.2% and USD/CNH falling 0.3%.
Meanwhile, the Australian dollar climbed 0.3% ahead of Tuesday’s RBA meeting, where rates are widely expected to remain unchanged at 3.6%. The Indian rupee traded flat near record lows, with investors awaiting the RBI’s decision later this week. Analysts largely expect no change to the policy rate, currently at 5.50%, though some see room for a surprise cut.
With U.S. political risks and central bank outcomes in focus, global markets are bracing for heightened volatility in the week ahead.
