Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
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 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
U.S. stocks closed sharply lower Friday after a disappointing July jobs report fueled recession fears and renewed volatility in tech shares led by Amazon. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 542 points (1.7%), the S&P 500 fell 1.7%, and the Nasdaq Composite slid 2.2%.
The Labor Department reported just 73,000 new jobs in July, far below the expected 106,000. June’s data was also revised sharply lower, with total job revisions cutting 258,000 positions. The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.2%. Economists warned that manufacturing weakness and downward revisions paint a more fragile picture of the labor market than previously thought.
Following the report, President Donald Trump ordered the firing of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, accusing her of manipulating job data. Treasury yields plunged as traders increased bets on Federal Reserve rate cuts. Fed Governor Adriana Kugler’s resignation added to speculation about a potential policy shift ahead of the September meeting.
Market sentiment worsened after Trump signed an executive order raising tariffs — up to 50% on some countries — starting Aug. 7. Canada faces a 35% levy on certain goods, while Brazil will be hit with the highest duties.
Amazon shares tumbled after issuing weak income guidance despite AWS revenue rising 17.5% to $30.9 billion. Apple reversed gains despite beating expectations on iPhone and services sales, while Coinbase fell on weaker trading profits. Reddit shares surged on strong advertising forecasts, and energy giants Exxon and Chevron declined despite higher production.
Investors now await upcoming inflation data to gauge the Fed’s next move as markets remain under pressure from slowing growth and escalating trade tensions.
