Gold Prices Inch Higher as Fed Rate-Cut Expectations Strengthen 
U.S. Stock Futures Hold Steady Ahead of Key Fed Decision 
U.S. Economic Outlook 2026: Growth Seen Strengthening as Fiscal Support Ramps Up 
Australian Dollar Rises as RBA Holds Rates and Signals Persistent Inflation Risks 
China Warns of Rising Global Risks as Tariff Pressures Intensify in 2025 
ECB Signals Steady Rates Ahead as Policymakers Warn of Inflation Risks 
Canada Stocks Steady as Markets Await Fed and BoC Decisions 
Japan’s Q3 Economic Contraction Deepens as Revised Data Signals Stronger Headwinds 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Markets Track Ukraine Peace Talks and U.S. Rate Decision 
Holiday Economic Questions: What Bank of America Says You Should Expect 
Global Markets Steady as Yen Holds Firm After Japan Earthquake Amid Central Bank Focus 
Asian Markets Slip as Investors Brace for Fed Rate Cut and Global Policy Decisions 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Oil Prices Hold Near Two-Week Highs as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut and Monitor Geopolitical Risks 
U.S. Open to Special Trade Terms for South Africa Under Possible AGOA Extension 
Oil Prices Dip as Markets Watch Ukraine Peace Talks and U.S. Rate Decision 
UK Job Market Shows Persistent Weakness Ahead of November Budget 
Asian stock markets retreated on Wednesday as investors turned cautious ahead of a closely watched U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate decision. Markets across the region tracked mild overnight losses on Wall Street, where major U.S. indexes dipped on uncertainty over the Fed’s forward guidance. While the central bank is widely expected to cut rates by 25 basis points, analysts warned that policymakers may still signal a more hawkish stance, dampening risk appetite. S&P 500 futures also edged lower in early Asian trading.
Chinese equities led regional declines as persistent deflationary pressures continued to weigh on sentiment. The Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 slipped 0.9%, the Shanghai Composite dropped 0.7%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.4%. Fresh government data showed that although China’s consumer price index rose year-on-year in November, it unexpectedly contracted from the previous month. Producer prices fell for a 38th straight month, underscoring weak domestic demand and raising fresh concerns about China’s growth outlook heading into 2026.
Beijing’s Politburo pledged additional fiscal stimulus in the coming months, but the announcement offered little immediate support. Chinese chipmakers also faced renewed pressure after U.S. President Donald Trump stated he would allow NVIDIA to sell more advanced AI chips in China, intensifying uncertainty across the sector.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.3%, while the TOPIX eased 0.2% as stubborn producer price inflation fueled speculation that the Bank of Japan may soon raise interest rates. Analysts expect rate discussions to intensify ahead of the BOJ’s late-December meeting. Ongoing geopolitical tensions between Japan and China over Taiwan further dampened market sentiment.
Elsewhere in the region, Australia’s ASX 200 extended losses following a hawkish signal from the Reserve Bank. Singapore’s Straits Times Index edged down 0.2%, South Korea’s KOSPI traded flat, and India’s Nifty 50 futures slipped after airline giant IndiGo suffered nearly 8% in declines amid an operational crisis.
