Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Asian stock markets and U.S. futures rose on Friday amid renewed optimism over potential U.S.-China trade talks, offsetting investor concerns following weak earnings from Apple and Amazon. China’s commerce ministry said Washington had shown interest in tariff negotiations, and Beijing was open to talks—provided the U.S. “shows sincerity.”
The news helped U.S. stock futures rebound, with S&P 500 futures up 0.6% and Nasdaq futures rising 0.3%. Japan’s Nikkei gained 1% on yen weakness, while Taiwan’s market surged 2%. MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan climbed 0.4%.
Markets were rattled earlier in the week as Apple trimmed its share buybacks and warned tariffs could cost $900 million this quarter. Amazon also missed expectations. However, upbeat earnings from Microsoft and Meta offered some relief, signaling parts of the tech sector may weather trade headwinds.
Global sentiment has been volatile due to President Donald Trump’s unpredictable tariff measures. Recent data showed the U.S. economy shrank for the first time in three years, while Chinese factory activity posted its sharpest contraction in over a year.
Economists warn that rising consumer prices from tariffs could trigger a recession if spending slows. Commonwealth Bank’s Joseph Capurso noted a downturn is not the base case but remains a risk.
Currency markets saw the yen weaken to 145.62 per dollar after the Bank of Japan held rates steady and trimmed its growth outlook. The U.S. dollar index hit 100.14, its strongest level since February, ahead of April’s nonfarm payroll report, which is expected to show 130,000 new jobs.
Gold dipped to $3,234.9 per ounce on weaker safe-haven demand, while oil rose after Trump threatened secondary sanctions on Iran. Brent gained 0.56%, and WTI crude climbed 0.6%.
