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Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
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Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Asian stocks mostly climbed Thursday, tracking Wall Street’s rally after the Federal Reserve kept rates unchanged and made no major policy shifts. However, Chinese markets lagged due to profit-taking following a strong rally.
Markets reacted positively to the Fed’s decision, with U.S. stock futures rising in Asian trade. Investors were relieved that the central bank did not take drastic action despite concerns over a global economic slowdown and trade tensions. However, the Fed trimmed its annual growth forecast and warned of rising inflation.
In Asia, trading volumes were limited due to a Japanese holiday, with Nikkei 225 Futures slipping 0.1%. Australia’s ASX 200 gained 1.1%, rebounding from a seven-month low. Weaker-than-expected employment data fueled speculation of another rate cut by the Reserve Bank of Australia, as the central bank remains focused on inflation and labor market trends.
Broader Asian markets followed Wall Street’s lead, supported by optimism over potential Chinese stimulus. South Korea’s KOSPI rose 0.5%, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index added 0.7%. India’s Nifty 50 futures signaled a positive open, extending gains from a recent nine-month low.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropped 1.1%, retreating from a three-year high. Tech and internet stocks led losses as investors took profits after a strong rally driven by optimism over China’s AI sector and stimulus hopes. Despite Thursday’s dip, the Hang Seng remains up nearly 25% in 2025.
China’s Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite fell 0.6% and 0.3%, respectively, as traders awaited further fiscal measures from Beijing. The People’s Bank of China, as expected, kept its benchmark loan prime rate unchanged.
