China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
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 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
The U.S. dollar rose sharply alongside safe-haven currencies like the Japanese yen and Swiss franc following reports that Israel launched airstrikes on Iran. Two U.S. officials confirmed the strikes to Reuters, clarifying that the U.S. had no role in the operation. Explosions were reportedly heard northeast of Tehran.
Currency markets reacted swiftly to the geopolitical tension. The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major currencies, gained 0.4% to reach 98.07 in early Asian trading. The dollar fell 0.35% against the yen to 143.00, while the Swiss franc slipped 0.39% to 0.807 per dollar. Risk-sensitive currencies such as the Australian and New Zealand dollars dropped 0.9% each.
Earlier this week, the dollar had weakened amid a tepid investor response to the U.S.-China trade truce and softer-than-expected inflation data, which fueled expectations of deeper interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.
Despite today's rally, the dollar remains on track for weekly losses against the yen, euro, and Swiss franc.
The geopolitical shock also impacted commodities. Crude oil prices surged over $4 per barrel, reflecting fears of supply disruption in the oil-rich Middle East. Gold prices rose 0.8%, marking their highest level since early May as investors sought safety.
The swift reversal in global markets underscores the fragile balance between macroeconomic trends and geopolitical risks, particularly in currency and commodity markets. As tensions escalate, investors are flocking to traditional safe havens while reassessing monetary policy expectations.
