Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian stocks traded mostly lower on Tuesday as markets digested renewed U.S. political and economic uncertainty. Investor sentiment was shaken by President Donald Trump’s harsh criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, warning of a potential recession if interest rates aren’t cut. Wall Street tumbled on Monday, dragging Asian equities down, although S&P 500 futures rose 0.6% in early Asian trade on hopes of a rebound.
Caution remained high ahead of key Q1 earnings, with Tesla set to report later in the day. The ongoing U.S.-China trade war also weighed on sentiment, as Beijing warned other nations against trade deals with Washington that could harm China’s interests. The warning followed Trump’s tariff hike on Chinese goods to 145%, prompting China to retaliate with a 125% levy on U.S. imports. China’s CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite remained flat, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 0.5%. JD.com and Meituan shares plunged over 6% on signs of intensifying food delivery competition.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.1% as exporters struggled with a seven-month-high yen. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed concerns over Trump’s 25% tariffs on foreign cars, which threaten Japan’s automotive sector. Investors also eyed possible rate hikes from the Bank of Japan after March inflation remained elevated.
Australia’s ASX 200 stayed flat ahead of PMI data, while South Korea’s KOSPI saw minor gains before its GDP release. Singapore’s Straits Times Index outperformed, climbing 1.2% as investors sought safety in bank stocks. India’s Nifty 50 futures pointed to further gains after a strong previous session.
Overall, uncertainty surrounding global trade policies and monetary tightening kept Asian markets in a tight trading range.
