Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
Kevin Hassett Says Inflation Is Below Target, Backs Trump’s Call for Rate Cuts 
Precious Metals Rally as Silver and Platinum Outperform on Rate Cut Bets 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Asian Markets Rebound as Tech Rally Lifts Wall Street, Investors Brace for BOJ Rate Hike 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
U.S. stocks closed higher on Friday, recovering from a volatile start to the week as gains in technology and AI-related shares outweighed sharp declines in consumer stocks such as Nike. Major indexes finished in positive territory, supported by renewed optimism around artificial intelligence and expectations of future Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.
Technology megacaps extended Thursday’s rally after Micron Technology delivered upbeat forecasts that reassured investors about long-term AI demand. Micron shares surged 7% to a record closing high, while Nvidia climbed 3.9% following news that the U.S. government launched a review that could allow shipments of Nvidia’s second-most powerful AI chip to China. The development helped ease concerns around export restrictions and boosted sentiment across semiconductor stocks.
Oracle shares jumped 6.6% after ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent, signed binding agreements to transfer control of TikTok’s U.S. operations to a group of investors that includes Oracle, strengthening the company’s position in cloud computing and enterprise technology. Market participants noted that AI-linked stocks had recently faced pressure due to valuation concerns, but Micron’s results encouraged investors to rotate back into the sector.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 183 points, or 0.38%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.88% and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.31%. For the week, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posted modest gains, though the Dow finished lower. Seven of the S&P 500’s sectors ended Friday higher, led by technology, while utilities and consumer staples lagged.
Consumer-focused stocks weighed on the market, with Nike plunging 10.5% after reporting another decline in gross margins driven by weak China sales and product restructuring efforts. Lamb Weston sank nearly 26% after warning of softer demand, and Conagra slipped following disappointing earnings.
Investors also reacted to data showing U.S. consumer prices rose less than expected in November, reinforcing bets on at least two interest rate cuts next year. However, analysts cautioned that volatility may increase after the holidays, especially following Friday’s “triple witching” options expiration.
