Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
U.S. Stocks Rise as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for Fed Rate Cut 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Austria’s AA Credit Rating Affirmed as Fitch Highlights Stable Outlook 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
Asian stocks mostly advanced on Wednesday, led by gains in Chinese markets, as optimism grew over a potential U.S.-China trade framework. Investors cheered reports that upcoming negotiations could ease U.S. curbs on tech exports to China, although details remain limited.
The Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 rose 1%, and the Shanghai Composite gained 0.7%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbed 0.9%. The positive sentiment followed two days of high-level trade talks in London, where officials announced a framework agreement that may improve bilateral relations. U.S. representatives hinted the deal could lead to reduced restrictions on Chinese rare earth exports, though no firm commitments were made.
Despite the upbeat tone, U.S. S&P 500 Futures dipped in Asian trading after a court allowed Trump-era tariffs to remain in place. Focus in the U.S. also shifted to the upcoming Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation data, a key market driver.
Asian technology stocks rallied, particularly those in the semiconductor sector, on hopes that easing chip export controls will revive China’s role as a major market. South Korea’s KOSPI rose 0.6% to an 11-month high, driven by a 3% jump in SK Hynix shares. Japan’s Nikkei 225 added 0.4%, while the broader TOPIX was flat amid economic uncertainty and Bank of Japan rate policy concerns.
Australia’s ASX 200 rose 0.3%, with Johns Lyng Group surging over 20% after a takeover bid from Pacific Equity Partners. Singapore’s Straits Times Index fell 0.4% on profit-taking in bank stocks, while India’s Gift Nifty 50 Futures slipped 0.1%, signaling a tepid market open.
Overall, investor enthusiasm was tempered by the lack of concrete trade deal specifics, limiting broader market gains.
