U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Asian stock markets surged to new highs on Thursday, powered by renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence investments. Investors continued pouring money into AI-related assets, while gold prices hovered above $4,000 per ounce and the U.S. dollar maintained its recent strength. Meanwhile, oil prices eased after reports that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire deal to end their two-year conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump said he may travel to Egypt this weekend to discuss the peace plan’s next steps.
Global equity markets extended their rally as optimism surrounding AI fueled gains in tech-heavy indexes. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record levels, driven by strong investor confidence and bullish earnings projections. Analysts at JPMorgan noted, “The AI theme remains intact,” with another wave of billion-dollar investments flowing into the sector. Tech earnings growth estimates have climbed to 20.9% for the upcoming reporting season, up from 15.9% in June, led by giants like Nvidia and Apple. Overall, S&P 500 earnings are forecast to rise 8% in the third quarter, with revenue up 6.3%.
Japan’s Nikkei jumped 1.5%, nearing all-time highs as foreign investors purchased a net 2.5 trillion yen ($16.4 billion) in shares. Taiwan’s benchmark index also rose 1.2%, while Chinese blue chips gained 0.4% following strong Golden Week spending data showing 888 million domestic trips and 809 billion yuan ($113.5 billion) in sales.
In the U.S., Federal Reserve minutes revealed a cautious approach to further rate cuts despite inflation concerns. Futures markets still price in a 94% chance of a quarter-point cut in November. The dollar remained firm, trading near ¥152.54, while the euro steadied at $1.1641 after weak German industrial output data.
Gold stayed strong at $4,037 per ounce, supported by central bank buying and safe-haven demand amid expectations of U.S. rate cuts. Brent crude slipped 0.6% to $65.89 per barrel, while U.S. crude eased 0.7% to $62.12 as geopolitical tensions subsided.
