China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Asian markets saw mixed movement on Thursday as investor sentiment was rattled by renewed trade tensions and escalating geopolitical risks. U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to impose new trade tariffs on major economies within weeks, signaling a tough negotiation stance. While Trump hinted at a completed U.S.-China trade deal, lack of concrete details and ongoing tariffs dampened investor optimism.
Markets also tracked weakness from Wall Street, as reports of U.S. personnel evacuations from Iraq and failed nuclear talks with Iran spurred concerns. Israel’s potential military response to Iran further weighed on risk appetite. Rising oil prices added to the cautious tone, though commodity-linked indexes gained modestly.
In Asia, S&P 500 futures dropped 0.4% during regional hours. China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 edged lower, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.5%. Despite initial gains earlier in the week on news of a U.S.-China trade framework, Chinese equities faced pressure due to vague deal terms and continued tariffs. EV giants BYD and NIO both dropped over 2% amid local headwinds.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.8%, with the yen’s strength and tech losses dragging the index. Australia’s ASX 200 bucked the trend, rising 0.2% on gains in energy and gold stocks, supported by expectations of rate cuts. South Korea’s KOSPI gained 0.5% to a 3.5-year high, boosted by political stability and a bullish earnings outlook.
Singapore’s Straits Times index rose 0.3%, while India’s Nifty 50 futures edged up 0.2% following reports that Reliance Industries is in talks to invest in OpenAI. Overall, uncertainty over global trade policies and Middle East tensions kept investors cautious across Asian markets.
