Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
The S&P 500 closed lower Wednesday, weighed down by renewed trade tensions and Federal Reserve concerns over tariff-driven economic uncertainty. The S&P 500 fell 0.5%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.6% (244 points), and the NASDAQ Composite dropped 0.5%.
Market sentiment soured after reports that President Donald Trump ordered U.S. semiconductor software firms to halt sales to China. According to the Financial Times, the directive affects major chipmakers like Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), AMD (NASDAQ: AMD), and Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), which all saw share declines. Nvidia, in particular, is under pressure as it prepared to release quarterly results post-market. Analysts expect strong earnings—$0.893 EPS on $43.12 billion in revenue—driven by demand from AI hyperscalers expanding data center capacity.
However, investor focus remains on Nvidia's future guidance and its position in China, where U.S. export restrictions are tightening. CEO Jensen Huang recently criticized these restrictions as ineffective, forecasting that China could still become a $50 billion market for Nvidia.
On the retail front, Macy’s (NYSE: M) rose on a strong Q1 earnings beat but cut its full-year outlook due to tariffs, weaker consumer spending, and competitive pricing pressures. Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) also beat Q1 profit expectations, despite slightly missing on revenue. Dick’s Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) gained after reporting record sales and reaffirming its 2025 forecast.
Meanwhile, Okta (NASDAQ: OKTA) slumped after issuing cautious guidance due to ongoing macroeconomic headwinds.
Federal Reserve minutes released Wednesday echoed concerns about trade policy uncertainty. Policymakers remain hesitant to cut rates, citing inflation risks tied to President Trump’s tariffs. Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari emphasized the importance of not underestimating supply-side price shocks.
