Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Asian stock markets were mixed on Wednesday, with Hong Kong and South Korea extending gains driven by Wall Street’s tech rally, while Japan lagged due to a stronger yen and rising interest rate expectations.
The Hang Seng Index rose over 1%, supported by surging Chinese tech stocks like Alibaba and Tencent, following a bullish session for U.S. tech. South Korea’s KOSPI also jumped 1.5%, led by chip giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, after NVIDIA announced a major AI chip deal with Saudi Arabia’s Humain, boosting investor sentiment in the semiconductor space.
However, broader market momentum appeared to fade as enthusiasm over the recent U.S.-China tariff truce cooled. U.S. and China agreed to temporarily cut tariffs — Washington reducing duties from 145% to 30%, and Beijing lowering its rate from 125% to 10% — but investors remain cautious about the next phase of negotiations.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.8% and the broader Topix lost over 1% as a strengthening yen weighed on exporters. The Japanese currency rose on renewed expectations of a Bank of Japan rate hike, especially after April wholesale inflation climbed to 4.0%. The BOJ is scheduled to meet on May 19–20 to decide on interest rate policy.
China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 were flat, with reduced hopes for further government stimulus amid easing trade tensions. Elsewhere in Asia, Australia’s ASX 200 dipped 0.1%, Singapore’s STI slid 0.3%, and Indian Nifty 50 futures were steady amid geopolitical concerns with Pakistan.
Despite signs of cooling inflation in the U.S., global markets remain cautious ahead of key central bank meetings and trade developments.
