Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
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 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Asian stocks saw modest gains on Thursday, with Japan leading the region on renewed hopes of U.S. trade dialogue. Investors remained cautious, reassessing optimism over a potential de-escalation in the U.S.-China trade war after mixed signals from Washington.
Japan's Nikkei 225 rose nearly 1%, while the TOPIX added 0.8%, driven by reports that Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa will visit the U.S. for further trade talks. Automakers rallied after the Financial Times reported that Trump may exclude auto parts from a proposed 25% tariff. Toyota surged over 5% on this news and its U.S. plant expansion plans, while Honda gained 2%. Nintendo also jumped more than 5%, boosted by strong demand for its upcoming Switch 2 console.
Elsewhere, Asian markets reflected Wall Street's overnight gains following Trump’s hints at reducing tariffs on China and softening criticism of the Federal Reserve. However, skepticism lingered as Trump emphasized that any progress would require initiative from Beijing, a move Chinese officials have yet to signal. U.S. futures inched higher in early Asian trading.
China’s CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite both rose 0.5%, while the Hang Seng dipped 0.4% amid profit-taking in internet stocks. Australia’s ASX 200 gained 0.6%, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index edged up 0.3%. Indian futures suggested a weak open, as investors monitored geopolitical tensions after a terrorist attack in Kashmir.
South Korea's KOSPI fell 0.6% following disappointing Q1 GDP data, which showed a 0.2% quarter-on-quarter contraction due to export disruptions from U.S. trade policies. This overshadowed strong earnings from chipmaker SK Hynix, whose shares slipped slightly despite continued AI-driven demand.
