Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
US Mobilizes Aid After Powerful Earthquakes Devastate Venezuela 
Oil Prices Drop as Strait of Hormuz Shipping Recovers 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
White House Seeks $1.4 Billion to Combat Growing Ebola Outbreak 
Trump Administration Rejects Claims of Rift Between JD Vance and Marco Rubio on Iran Policy 
South Korea Remains MSCI Emerging Market Despite Reform Progress 
Australian Household Spending Rebounds Strongly in May as Travel and Dining Drive Consumer Growth 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Trump Requests $11 Billion More in Farm Aid as Rising Costs Pressure U.S. Farmers 
Marco Rubio Seeks Gulf Support for U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Amid Regional Concerns 
US Reaffirms Taiwan Arms Sales Policy Despite Trump’s Comments on China 
ICC Judges Sue Trump Administration Over Sanctions, Calling Measures Unlawful 
Bessent Says U.S. Must Strengthen Supply Chains and Economic Security 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
Johns Hopkins University Lays Off 110 Employees as Federal Research Funding Declines 
U.S. stock index futures gained on Monday evening as reports eased fears of disruptive trade tariffs under President-elect Donald Trump. Bloomberg reported that his team may propose a gradual tariff increase of 2%-5% monthly to enhance trade leverage while managing inflation risks, rather than imposing steep duties immediately. This approach, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, remains unconfirmed but could signal a tempered stance on trade policy.
Wall Street saw a mixed session, with cyclicals offsetting tech losses. The S&P 500 Futures rose 0.3% to 5,892.50 points, Nasdaq 100 Futures added 0.5% to 21,046.25, and Dow Jones Futures increased 0.2% to 42,607.0 by 18:13 ET.
Monday's gains come despite broader market caution over a slower pace of Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2025. December’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, due Wednesday, could offer insights into inflation trends following strong payroll numbers last week. These data points may solidify expectations of continued high interest rates.
Major earnings reports this week will also shape market sentiment, with JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, and Citigroup among those set to release results.
While the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.9% to 42,297.12 points and the S&P 500 edged up 0.2% to 5,836.0 points on Monday, the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.4%, closing at 19,087.82, near a two-month low.
Investor focus remains on inflation, earnings, and Trump’s evolving trade strategies, all of which could drive market volatility. Continued monitoring of tariff policy and Federal Reserve signals will be crucial for traders navigating early 2025's economic landscape.
