Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
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 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
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 and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian stock markets mostly advanced on Tuesday, boosted by gains in automakers after the U.S. announced measures to soften auto tariffs. However, mainland Chinese stocks edged lower amid a lack of new stimulus from Beijing.
With Japanese markets closed for a holiday, regional trading volumes were light. Major U.S. indexes posted slight gains on Monday, with futures inching higher during Asian hours.
Investor sentiment improved after the Trump administration said it would ease some tariffs on foreign auto parts used in U.S.-made vehicles. According to The Wall Street Journal, automakers will be exempt from additional duties, such as those on steel and aluminum.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbed 0.5%, driven by a 5% surge in NIO Inc (HK:9866) and a 2.5% rise in Geely Automobile (HK:0175). South Korea’s KOSPI gained 0.8%, with Hyundai Motor (KS:005380) up 1.7%. Futures tied to India’s Nifty 50 and Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.3%, with the latter poised to rally once trading resumes. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 advanced 0.9%, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index added 0.4%.
Attention now turns to the Bank of Japan’s policy meeting, with rates expected to remain unchanged despite persistent inflation.
Meanwhile, China’s Shanghai Composite dipped 0.1% and the CSI 300 fell 0.2%, despite easing U.S.-China trade tensions. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated ongoing communication with China, though Beijing denied recent talks. Chinese policymakers pledged to support businesses affected by tariffs but refrained from introducing fresh stimulus beyond March announcements. Investors await China's manufacturing data due Wednesday for further economic signals.
