Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Global Forex Markets Brace for Fed Decision as Yen Extends Weakness 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Asian stock markets declined on Monday amid growing concerns over global economic health, following a surprise U.S. credit rating downgrade by Moody’s and mixed economic data from China.
S&P 500 futures fell 0.8% in Asian trading, dragging regional indices lower. The downgrade of the U.S.'s Aaa rating stemmed from concerns about mounting government debt and a lack of credible fiscal measures. The news dampened investor sentiment, which had already cooled after last week’s short-lived rally on easing U.S.-China tariff tensions.
Chinese markets showed mild losses despite stronger-than-expected April industrial production, with the Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 slipping 0.1% and 0.4%, respectively. The Hang Seng dropped 0.6%. However, weak retail sales and disappointing fixed asset investment highlighted persistent pressure on China’s consumer and business spending. The data pointed to deeper challenges as Beijing seeks to stabilize economic growth while high trade tariffs with the U.S. remain in place.
Other major Asian indices also declined. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.3% and the TOPIX lost 0.1%, extending declines after Friday’s weak GDP report. Investors are awaiting Japan’s April inflation data for further clues on future Bank of Japan rate moves. South Korea’s KOSPI dropped 0.7%, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index lost 0.3%.
Australia’s ASX 200 was flat ahead of Tuesday’s Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) decision. Markets widely expect a 25-basis point rate cut amid easing inflation, though analysts anticipate a cautious outlook due to global uncertainties.
India’s Gift Nifty futures declined 0.3%, suggesting a subdued open following strong gains last week.
Investors remain on edge as signals from the world’s top economies continue to show fragility, with central bank actions and macro data under close watch this week.
