Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Asian shares and the yen held steady Monday following Japan's upper house election, which weakened Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s position but delivered no major surprises for investors. The yen firmed 0.4% to 148.29 per dollar, supported by a market holiday and Ishiba's vow to remain in power despite his ruling coalition's setback.
Analysts expect Ishiba to pursue looser fiscal policies, likely delaying Bank of Japan’s rate hikes until at least October. BOJ’s cautious stance is reinforced by political uncertainty, keeping yields in check.
Wall Street futures edged higher, with S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures both up 0.1%, driven by anticipation of strong earnings from mega-cap tech firms. Alphabet, Tesla, and IBM are among those set to report this week. Defense stocks like Lockheed Martin, RTX, and General Dynamics also remain in focus as global military spending boosts the aerospace and defense sector, which is up 30% this year.
In currency markets, the euro held at $1.1630, while the U.S. dollar index dipped slightly to 98.40. The Federal Reserve is seen pausing rate moves in July, with a 61% chance of a September cut, increasing to 80% in October. Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s cautious tone has drawn criticism from President Trump, although the threat to replace Powell appears to have receded.
Oil prices remained rangebound as OPEC+ supply concerns balanced potential EU sanctions on Russian crude. Brent rose 0.1% to $69.36, while U.S. crude gained 0.1% to $67.39. Gold was little changed at $3,348 an ounce, while platinum continued its rally, recently hitting its highest level since 2014.
Markets are closely watching U.S.-EU trade talks and the potential for a Trump-Xi meeting, likely in October.
