Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Asian stock markets plunged Monday amid intensifying recession fears and escalating trade tensions, as the White House stood firm on its tariff plans. Investors increasingly bet on aggressive U.S. rate cuts, with futures pricing in nearly five quarter-point cuts this year, pulling Treasury yields sharply lower.
President Donald Trump reiterated his stance on trade, saying no deal would be made with China until the U.S. trade deficit is addressed. Beijing responded by letting markets interpret its retaliatory plans, adding to the uncertainty.
S&P 500 futures fell 3.1%, while Nasdaq futures dropped 4%, deepening last week’s $6 trillion market loss. European futures also sank, with EUROSTOXX 50 down 3%, FTSE futures off 2.7%, and Germany’s DAX down 3.5%. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei plunged 6%, South Korea shed 5%, and Chinese blue chips slid 4.4%. Taiwan’s index dropped nearly 10% following a market holiday, prompting a short-selling curb.
Oil prices extended losses, with Brent crude falling to $64.23 per barrel and U.S. crude to $60.60. The flight to safety pushed 10-year Treasury yields down to 3.916% and boosted Fed fund futures, now reflecting a 56% chance of a rate cut by May.
The dollar weakened against safe-haven currencies, slipping 0.4% versus the yen and 0.6% against the Swiss franc. Meanwhile, inflation concerns linger, with U.S. CPI expected to rise 0.3% in March. Analysts warn tariffs may soon push consumer prices and business costs higher, eroding profit margins.
Gold dipped 0.3% to $3,026 as investors scrambled to cover margin calls, fueling fears of a broader fire sale. As earnings season begins, Goldman Sachs anticipates fewer companies will issue forward guidance due to tariff-related uncertainty and shrinking margins.
