Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
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 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
U.S. stock index futures edged lower on Wednesday evening after the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged but warned of rising risks from inflation and economic uncertainty. The move followed modest gains on Wall Street, fueled by a rebound in chip stocks amid signs the Trump administration may ease export restrictions on artificial intelligence chips.
At 19:50 ET (23:50 GMT), S&P 500 futures fell 0.1% to 5,645.75, Nasdaq 100 futures dropped 0.1% to 19,948.75, and Dow Jones futures slipped 0.1% to 41,168.0.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell cited growing concerns over inflation and unemployment, stating the outlook remains unclear due to uncertainty surrounding Trump’s trade tariffs. The Fed is expected to keep a cautious stance, with Powell ruling out any preemptive rate cuts despite pressure from Trump for lower borrowing costs.
Meanwhile, AI chipmakers led a late rally in U.S. stocks after reports indicated Trump may roll back Biden-era export controls on advanced chips. The move would benefit U.S. semiconductor firms by expanding their overseas sales opportunities. Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) gained 3.1% during regular trading, while TSMC (NYSE: TSM) added 1.3% and Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) rose 1.9%.
Despite ongoing concerns about U.S.-China trade talks and the Fed's cautious tone, Wall Street closed higher. The S&P 500 rose 0.4% to 5,631.27, the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.3% to 17,738.16, and the Dow Jones added 0.7% to close at 41,113.97.
Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL) lagged behind, pressured by reports that Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) may integrate AI-powered search into its browser, posing new competition for Google’s core business.
