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 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
U.S. stock index futures inched higher Wednesday evening as optimism over easing U.S.-China trade tensions lifted sentiment. Investor focus also shifted toward key tech earnings, with Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL) set to report its Q1 results.
S&P 500 Futures and Nasdaq 100 Futures both rose 0.1% to 5,406.25 and 18,817.50 points, respectively, while Dow Jones Futures dipped 0.2% to 39,713.0. The modest gains followed a strong Wall Street session, driven by President Donald Trump’s suggestion of potentially cutting the 145% tariffs on Chinese imports—conditioned on China returning to the negotiating table.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that while the current tariff exchange is unsustainable, there has been no unilateral offer to reduce duties. China, meanwhile, recently imposed 125% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, showing limited interest in de-escalation talks.
Wall Street reacted positively, with the S&P 500 climbing 1.7% to 5,375.82, the NASDAQ surging 2.5% to 16,708.05, and the Dow gaining 1.1% to close at 39,606.57. However, all three indexes closed off their intraday highs amid ongoing market uncertainty.
Investor confidence was also supported by Trump softening his stance against the Federal Reserve, clarifying he does not plan to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell despite earlier criticisms over interest rates.
Looking ahead, Alphabet’s earnings are highly anticipated, especially regarding its AI investments and future spending plans. Other major companies scheduled to report Thursday include Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG), T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS), PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP), Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD), and Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA).
As investors navigate trade policy shifts and corporate earnings, market volatility is expected to remain elevated.
