Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
U.S. stock futures edged higher on Monday, lifted by optimism over easing trade tensions between Washington and Beijing and anticipation of key corporate earnings. As of 03:28 ET (07:28 GMT), Dow futures were up 0.4%, S&P 500 futures gained 0.5%, and Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 0.6%.
President Donald Trump signaled a potential thaw in U.S.-China relations, acknowledging that the proposed triple-digit tariffs on Chinese goods were “not sustainable.” He confirmed an upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng are expected to hold trade talks this week. Still, Trump maintained a hardline stance on other nations, including India and Colombia, over trade and policy disputes.
Investors are also bracing for major earnings reports from Tesla and Netflix, alongside a delayed U.S. inflation report due to a government shutdown.
Meanwhile, Apple’s iPhone 17 series recorded a strong debut, outperforming last year’s iPhone 16 by 14% in its first 10 days in the U.S. and China, according to Counterpoint Research. The base model drove much of the demand, particularly in China, where sales nearly doubled year-over-year. In the U.S., the iPhone 17 Pro Max emerged as the top performer, boosted by higher carrier subsidies and strong demand in the ultra-premium segment.
In corporate news, Kering announced a €4 billion deal to sell its House of Creed perfume unit and license fragrance rights for brands like Gucci and Balenciaga to L’Oreal. The 50-year agreement includes a joint venture focused on luxury, wellness, and longevity.
Additionally, China’s GDP grew 4.8% year-on-year in Q3 2025, its slowest pace in a year, while gold prices steadied near record highs amid easing U.S.-China trade tensions.
