Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
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Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Australian equities are set to benefit from renewed U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, with technology and cyclical sectors likely to outperform as global liquidity improves, according to a research note from Macquarie.
The broker said a shift in monetary policy favors stocks over bonds, cyclical sectors over defensives, and growth over value, comparing the current market environment to 1998, when global easing and optimism around technology sparked a broad rally. With both the Fed and the Reserve Bank of Australia moving toward rate cuts, Macquarie expects liquidity-driven gains through the end of the year.
Macquarie highlighted technology and AI-related plays as core holdings, citing Nextdc (ASX:NXT) and Seek Ltd (ASX:SEK). Growth-oriented companies such as Lovisa Holdings (ASX:LOV) and Webjet Group (ASX:WJL) were also named as key beneficiaries of stronger market sentiment. The broker noted these positions build on portfolio adjustments made in July to lean further into growth and technology exposure.
Cyclical stocks with significant U.S. exposure are another area of focus. Aristocrat Leisure (ASX:ALL), Breville Group (ASX:BRG), CAR Group (ASX:CAR), and Flight Centre (ASX:FLT) are expected to gain from improving U.S. demand. In addition, gold miners remain a favored trade, with Northern Star Resources (ASX:NST) and Newmont (ASX:NEM) well positioned as investors increase allocations to safe-haven assets.
Macquarie also pointed to improving risk appetite as a driver for small-cap stocks, while defensive sectors like healthcare and staples are likely to lag behind.
