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Asian stock markets climbed to their highest levels in six weeks on Friday, extending a strong year-end rally as investors looked to finish the year on a positive note. Despite thin trading volumes due to market holidays in Australia, Hong Kong, and much of Europe, risk appetite remained firm across the region.
Japan’s Topix index advanced to a fresh record high, rising around 0.5%, while South Korea’s benchmark index gained 0.6%. South Korean equities have surged roughly 72% this year, making the country the best-performing major stock market globally in 2025. Chinese equities also posted gains, with the blue-chip index up about 0.27% and on track for an 18% annual rise, its strongest performance since 2020.
These advances lifted MSCI’s broad Asia-Pacific index to its highest level since mid-November. The index has gained approximately 25% so far this year, reflecting strong momentum across regional equity markets as investors pursue a year-end rally.
Beyond equities, precious metals continued their blistering climb. Spot silver jumped more than 4% to a new record high, while gold also hit an all-time peak near $4,503 per ounce. Gold has risen over 71% this year, marking its strongest annual gain since 1979, while silver has soared an extraordinary 158%. Analysts attribute the rally to heavy central bank buying, robust inflows into gold-backed ETFs, and persistent concerns about currency debasement, rising global debt, and geopolitical uncertainty.
Currency markets were also in focus as the U.S. dollar weakened amid expectations of future Federal Reserve rate cuts. Traders are pricing in at least two U.S. rate cuts in 2026, though they do not expect action before June. Uncertainty around the Fed’s policy path and speculation over a potential new Fed chair nominee from President Donald Trump have added pressure to the dollar, pushing the euro, pound, and Swiss franc to recent highs.
The Japanese yen remained volatile, trading around 156 per dollar. Despite a recent Bank of Japan rate hike, cautious guidance from policymakers has kept intervention risks alive, especially as year-end liquidity thins. Overall, global markets appear poised to close the year with strong gains, led by Asian stocks and record-breaking precious metals prices.
