Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Asian stock markets mostly climbed on Tuesday, buoyed by easing fears over U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming tariff measures. Wall Street’s strong performance on Monday helped lift investor sentiment across the region. However, Chinese stocks bucked the trend, weighed down by tech sector profit-taking.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.7%, supported by export-heavy firms amid a softer yen, while the broader TOPIX briefly touched a nine-month high. Despite weak PMI data, Japan’s economy is expected to remain resilient, backed by wage hikes and stronger consumer spending. The Bank of Japan’s January meeting minutes revealed discussions of further rate hikes after a recent 25-basis-point increase.
Australia’s ASX 200 gained 0.4%, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index jumped 0.9% to a record high. In contrast, South Korea’s KOSPI dipped 0.3% even as Hyundai Motor rallied on news of a $21 billion U.S. investment plan.
Futures for India’s Nifty 50 suggested a slightly positive open following Monday’s 1.5-month high, continuing a rebound from March lows.
Chinese markets lagged, with the Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 slipping 0.1% and 0.2%, respectively. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng tumbled 2%, dragged down by tech stocks after a sharp year-to-date rally. Xiaomi dropped 5% following a $5.5 billion share sale, despite strong momentum in its EV business. Alibaba fell 2.7% after Chairman Joseph Tsai warned of a potential AI data center bubble, amid intensifying competition between the U.S. and China.
While optimism remains for Asian equities, lingering caution over U.S. trade policy and rate outlooks continues to influence investor strategies across the region.
