Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Asian markets extended a global downturn on Friday after a wave of hawkish remarks from Federal Reserve officials dampened hopes for a U.S. interest rate cut next month. Investors reacted swiftly as uncertainty surrounding inflation, economic data, and monetary policy pressured equities, bonds, and even traditionally safe-haven assets.
Japan’s Nikkei plunged 1.8%, marking one of its sharpest daily declines in weeks, while Australia’s resource-focused index slipped 1.5%. South Korea’s market saw an even steeper 2.3% drop. Sentiment was further weighed down as traders awaited fresh economic reports from China, with recent weak lending figures fueling concerns about slowing household and business activity.
The selloff on Wall Street intensified the global downturn, led by steep losses in Nvidia and other major AI-driven stocks due to valuation worries. Expectations for a December Fed rate cut fell from 63% to just 51% in a single day, pushing Treasury yields higher. The two-year Treasury yield held at 3.597% after a 3-basis-point jump, while the 10-year yield edged up to 4.125%.
Despite rising yields, the U.S. dollar weakened, slipping 0.2% against major currencies. The yen gained ground, trading at 154.7 per dollar after hitting a nine-month low, while the Swiss franc strengthened 0.6%. The British pound declined 0.3% following reports that U.K. leaders scrapped plans for income tax increases.
Investors were further unsettled by the White House announcement that the October U.S. unemployment rate may never be released, limiting visibility into labor market conditions. Fed officials added to the cautious mood, with St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem warning against easing too quickly and Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack stressing that policy must remain restrictive. Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari also signaled uncertainty regarding December’s decision.
Oil prices rose slightly but remained on track for a third weekly loss, while spot gold inched higher to $4,183 per ounce after breaking a four-day winning streak.
