U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
U.S. stock futures held steady Thursday evening after Wall Street rallied on optimism from a newly signed U.S.-UK trade deal framework. As of 20:12 ET (00:12 GMT), S&P 500 futures dipped 0.1% to 5,677.0, Nasdaq 100 futures were flat at 20,135.75, and Dow Jones futures slipped 0.2% to 41,397.0.
The gains followed a positive Thursday session where the Dow Jones and S&P 500 rose 0.6%, and the Nasdaq advanced 1.1%. Market sentiment improved after President Donald Trump signed a trade agreement framework with the United Kingdom. Under the deal, the U.S. will maintain its 10% tariff on UK imports, while the UK agreed to reduce its own tariffs to 1.8% from 5.1% and provide greater access to American goods. Notably, UK steel and aluminum exports will be exempt from the U.S. 25% import tax.
According to ING analysts, the deal gave markets a much-needed sense of stability, lifting equities, strengthening the dollar, and pushing Treasury yields higher. However, analysts warned that broader global trade tensions, especially with China, remain unresolved. U.S. and Chinese officials are set to meet over the weekend for continued trade negotiations, which investors hope could result in tariff relief and a more stable outlook.
In corporate news, Kenvue (NYSE:KVUE) surged 4% after beating Q1 expectations. Tapestry (NYSE:TPR), parent company of Coach and Kate Spade, rose nearly 4% after boosting its annual forecast. On the downside, Restaurant Brands (NYSE:QSR) slipped slightly following underwhelming earnings, while Arm Holdings (NASDAQ:ARM) tumbled 6% after offering weak forward guidance.
Investors remain cautious yet hopeful, with any sign of progress in U.S.-China trade relations expected to drive markets in the coming days.
