Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
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 
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Asian stocks opened the final month of 2025 on a steady note, supported by growing optimism over potential U.S. interest rate cuts. The yen strengthened in early trading as investors closely monitored comments from Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, who said the central bank will weigh the “pros and cons” of a rate hike at its upcoming December policy meeting. His remarks briefly lifted the yen to 155.64 per dollar, keeping currency markets on alert as speculation over Japan’s next move intensifies.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan held near 703.19, up 23.5% this year and on track for its strongest annual performance since 2017. Japan’s Nikkei slipped 1.3% in early trade, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index advanced more than 1%, helping lift broader regional sentiment. U.S. stock futures were softer during Asian hours, signaling some caution ahead of key economic data releases.
Analysts say improving risk appetite is driving investors into December with a positive bias. Chris Weston of Pepperstone noted that fading market fears have given way to concerns about missing out on potential gains. This week’s U.S. economic calendar—covering manufacturing, services, and consumer sentiment—could shape expectations for the Federal Reserve’s next steps. Markets are currently pricing in an 87% chance of a rate cut later this month, bolstered by recent dovish comments from policymakers.
Holiday shopping data is also in focus after U.S. consumers spent a record $11.8 billion online on Black Friday, a 9.1% increase from last year, according to Adobe Analytics. Meanwhile, the yen’s recent volatility and fiscal concerns under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi have kept Japan’s currency near intervention levels, prompting repeated warnings from officials.
In commodities, oil prices inched higher after OPEC+ opted to maintain current output levels for the first quarter of 2026. Brent crude rose to $63.03 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate traded at $59.16, both up nearly 1% as traders weighed supply risks against weakening demand.
