Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Asian stock markets traded mostly lower on Friday, weighed down by weak Japanese GDP data and a steep decline in Alibaba shares, while Australian equities outperformed on rate cut hopes.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.5% and the TOPIX dropped 0.3% after data showed the economy contracted 0.7% year-on-year in Q1, far worse than the expected 0.2% drop. Sluggish exports and weak consumer spending contributed to the decline, although the weak data fueled expectations the Bank of Japan will maintain accommodative policy.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index led regional losses, falling over 1%, driven by a sharp 7.5% slide in Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA, HK:9988) following a Q4 revenue miss and weaker-than-expected cloud business performance. JD.com (HK:9618) also declined nearly 2% as earnings highlighted fragile Chinese consumer sentiment amid persistent disinflation.
Despite Friday’s drop, Chinese and Hong Kong markets remained higher for the week, buoyed by optimism over a temporary U.S.-China tariff rollback. However, sentiment faded as investors awaited a more concrete resolution to trade tensions.
Mainland indexes also declined, with the CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite shedding 0.8% and 0.6% respectively. South Korea’s KOSPI was flat, while Singapore’s STI dipped 0.2% even after strong export data.
In contrast, Australia’s ASX 200 rose 0.6%, hitting a two-month high amid expectations that the Reserve Bank of Australia will lower interest rates next week.
India’s Nifty 50 Futures pointed to a muted open after the index touched a seven-month high earlier in the week.
While U.S. stock futures remained slightly negative, Asian equities were on track for weekly gains, supported by easing trade fears and dovish central bank expectations.
