South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
Singapore GDP Growth Surges in 2025 but Outlook Remains Cautious Amid Global Trade Risks 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Policy Clues in Holiday-Thinned Trade 
U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
Asian stock markets mostly advanced on Tuesday, extending a strong regional rally driven by gains in technology and semiconductor stocks, with Japanese equities leading the surge. Japan’s TOPIX index climbed 1.5% to a fresh all-time high of 3,534.46 points, supported by broad-based buying in technology, industrial, and export-oriented shares. The Nikkei 225 also traded near record levels, rising 0.7% as heavyweight chipmakers and electronics companies continued to attract investor interest.
Japanese semiconductor stocks were among the top performers, with Renesas Electronics gaining around 3% and Rohm rising more than 2%. The rally reflects growing optimism around artificial intelligence-driven demand, particularly for data centres and advanced computing, as well as tighter supply conditions in key chip segments that are improving pricing power and earnings outlooks across the sector.
Positive momentum spread across the region, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index advancing 1.2%, while the Hang Seng TECH index jumped nearly 2% on strength in major technology names. Mainland Chinese markets also posted gains, as the CSI 300 rose 0.5% and the Shanghai Composite added 0.6%, supported by improved risk sentiment and technology sector strength.
In contrast, South Korean equities edged lower, with the KOSPI slipping 0.4% after reaching record highs in the previous session. Investors appeared cautious ahead of Samsung Electronics’ earnings report due later this week, which is expected to provide key insights into memory chip pricing and AI-related demand trends. Despite the pullback, South Korean stocks remained near elevated levels, reflecting continued confidence in the semiconductor cycle.
Broader Asian sentiment was underpinned by a positive lead from Wall Street, where major U.S. indexes ended higher on Monday. U.S. stock index futures were largely flat during Asian trading hours. Elsewhere, Singapore’s Straits Times Index rose 0.8%, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dipped 0.4%. Futures linked to India’s Nifty 50 traded slightly lower ahead of the market open, as investors weighed global cues and upcoming earnings.
