U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
Wall Street Slips as Tech Stocks Slide on AI Spending Fears and Earnings Concerns 
Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
Oil Prices Surge Toward Biggest Monthly Gains in Years Amid Middle East Tensions 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
Asian stocks edged lower on Friday as a brief rebound in technology shares lost momentum and renewed worries over China’s property crisis weighed heavily on regional sentiment. Markets also saw subdued activity due to the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, leaving investors with limited trading cues. Still, expectations of a potential U.S. interest rate cut in December helped keep broader declines in check.
Chinese equities were among the biggest drags, with the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite slipping around 0.3%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dipped 0.1%. Selling pressure intensified in China’s real estate sector as investors dumped China Vanke’s bonds, driving its Shenzhen-listed shares down an additional 1.5%. Reports that the state-backed developer was seeking to restructure certain debt obligations fueled speculation that Vanke could face a default—an event that would surpass the collapses of Evergrande and Country Garden. With China’s property sector serving as a major economic pillar, further turmoil threatens to deepen growth risks. Mainland markets were down between 2% and 3% for November, with the Hang Seng trading mostly flat for the month.
Japanese stocks traded flat to slightly lower as strong economic data increased expectations that the Bank of Japan may soon raise interest rates. Tokyo’s November inflation held steady, with core inflation still above the BOJ’s 2% target. Industrial production unexpectedly improved, and retail sales beat forecasts, although unemployment remained unchanged and job applications softened. Analysts noted that the overall data reinforced the case for tighter monetary policy, potentially as early as December, despite resistance from the Sanae Takaichi government. The Nikkei 225, pressured by falling tech shares, was down 4.5% for the month.
Across the region, South Korea’s KOSPI fell nearly 1% and was down almost 4% in November, while Australia’s ASX 200 remained flat and on track for a 2.9% monthly decline amid expectations that the Reserve Bank of Australia will keep rates elevated. India’s Nifty 50 futures traded steady ahead of key GDP data, supported by low inflation and lower exposure to tech, posting a 1.9% gain in November. Singapore’s Straits Times index rose 0.4%, up 2.2% for the month.
