Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian stock markets climbed on Friday, led by Japan’s Nikkei 225, amid renewed global trade optimism after the United States and United Kingdom reached a trade deal framework. The agreement retained a 10% U.S. tariff on British goods, while the UK slashed tariffs on U.S. imports from 5.1% to 1.8%. The deal also exempts steel and aluminum imports from Trump’s 25% tariffs, further fueling risk appetite in regional equities.
President Trump hinted at upcoming trade negotiations with China, with talks set to begin over the weekend. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also noted that the administration plans to announce multiple new trade deals while maintaining a baseline 10% tariff.
The Nikkei 225 jumped 1.5%, supported by a weaker yen, while the broader TOPIX index added 1.3%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.5%, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index gained 0.6%. The Philippines’ PSEi advanced 1.2%, benefiting from improved regional sentiment.
South Korea’s KOSPI was little changed, and India’s Nifty 50 futures inched up 0.2% despite rising geopolitical tensions with Pakistan. India reported intercepting drone and missile attacks in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur.
In contrast, Chinese stocks fell as trade data showed mixed results. The Shanghai Composite slipped 0.3%, and the CSI 300 declined 0.4%. While exports rose 8.1% year-on-year—well above forecasts—import declines narrowed to 0.2%, beating expectations of a steeper drop. The data pointed to resilient domestic and external demand amid tariff headwinds.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 0.4%. Market participants now await China’s April CPI inflation figures, due Saturday, for further economic cues.
Global investors remained cautiously optimistic as Wall Street gains and easing trade tensions supported Asian markets.
