Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
U.S. stocks posted modest moves on Monday as investors digested trade updates and awaited key earnings reports. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 114 points, or 0.28%, while the S&P 500 inched up 3 points, or 0.06%. The Nasdaq Composite dipped 17 points, or 0.1%.
Markets found support from renewed optimism over trade deals. Vital Knowledge analyst Adam Crisafulli noted that "hope and hype" around trade negotiations might prevent a sharp drop in the S&P 500 but warned against chasing gains above the 5500 level.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent fueled optimism in a CNBC interview, saying several countries had offered “very good” tariff proposals. Bessent highlighted progress with Asian partners, South Korea, India, and Japan, and said all branches of the U.S. government remained in contact with China, urging de-escalation.
Signs that the Trump administration seeks to ease trade tensions helped sentiment, as concerns over the global economic impact from tariffs continue to loom.
Investors are now turning their attention to earnings from major tech companies including Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META). Microsoft and Meta report Wednesday, while Apple and Amazon are set for Thursday.
These earnings are seen as critical indicators of corporate resilience amid trade uncertainty and rising capital expenditures on artificial intelligence.
Reports from other heavyweights like Visa (NYSE:V), Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO), and Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) are also expected this week, adding to a crucial test for markets navigating both trade developments and economic headwinds.
