South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
Citi Forecasts a Volatile but Ongoing Bull Market for S&P 500 in 2026 
Oil Prices Slide in 2025 as Oversupply and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech and Financial Stocks Weigh on Markets Amid Thin Holiday Trading 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Policy Clues in Holiday-Thinned Trade 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
Russian stocks ended Saturday’s trading session mostly lower, with declines outweighing gains across the Moscow Exchange, although the benchmark MOEX Russia Index managed to close unchanged and secure a fresh three-month high. Market participants remained cautious, as mixed performances among heavyweight stocks offset gains in select mining and metals companies.
At the close in Moscow, the MOEX Russia Index finished flat at 0.00%, reflecting a balanced but subdued trading session. Despite the lack of overall movement, several blue-chip stocks posted modest gains. MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC emerged as the top performer, rising 0.41% to close at 166.00, marking a new 52-week high and reinforcing investor interest in the metals and mining sector. Polyus PJSC also advanced, gaining 0.40% to end the session at 2,719.80, supported by strong gold prices. OK Rusal MKPAO edged higher by 0.05% to 40.62, adding to the positive tone among select industrial stocks.
On the downside, Unipro PJSC led losses, slipping 1.01% to close at 1.57. Energy majors also weighed on the index, with Gazprom PJSC falling 0.78% to 126.60 and NOVATEK PJSC declining 0.74% to 1,208.00. Overall market breadth remained negative, as declining stocks outnumbered advancing ones by 131 to 95, while 21 securities ended the session unchanged.
Volatility remained stable, with the Russian Volatility Index (RVI) closing flat at 25.15, signaling steady investor sentiment despite sector-specific weakness. In commodities, prices surged, offering broader support to resource-linked equities. Gold futures for February delivery jumped 1.35% to $4,979.70 per troy ounce. Oil markets also strengthened, with WTI crude for March delivery rising 2.88% to $61.07 a barrel, while Brent crude gained 2.84% to trade at $65.88.
In currency markets, the Russian ruble strengthened against major peers. USD/RUB fell 0.66% to 75.50, while EUR/RUB edged down 0.05% to 89.30. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index futures declined 0.78% to 97.40, adding to the supportive backdrop for emerging market currencies.
