Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
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 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Wall Street futures edged lower on Monday evening as technology stocks remained under pressure following several weak sessions, while investors turned cautious ahead of critical US labor market and inflation data. Market participants are closely watching upcoming economic indicators for clearer signals on growth, inflation, and the Federal Reserve’s next policy moves.
By 18:46 ET (23:46 GMT), S&P 500 futures dipped nearly 0.1% to 6,818.25 points, Nasdaq 100 futures also fell 0.1% to 25,064.50 points, and Dow Jones futures were largely unchanged at 48,464 points. The subdued performance reflects broader uncertainty, particularly around the outlook for interest rates and the sustainability of the recent rally in technology stocks.
Investor focus is now firmly on the US nonfarm payrolls report for November, scheduled for release Tuesday morning. The data was slightly delayed due to disruptions caused by the government shutdown in October and early November. Markets are looking for signs of further cooling in the labor market, which has shown gradual signs of softening in recent months. The payrolls report will be followed closely by the US consumer price index inflation data later in the week, another key input for monetary policy expectations.
Labor market strength and inflation trends remain the Federal Reserve’s primary considerations when assessing future interest rate cuts. The central bank recently lowered rates and has emphasized a data-dependent approach going forward. Comments from New York Fed President John Williams on Monday reinforced this stance, underscoring that upcoming data will play a crucial role in shaping policy decisions.
Wall Street closed lower on Monday, dragged down mainly by continued weakness in technology shares as investors locked in profits after the artificial intelligence-driven rally. Concerns were amplified by cautious guidance from major companies such as Oracle and Broadcom, raising questions about long-term AI-related returns. Nvidia briefly bucked the trend, rising 0.7% after JPMorgan highlighted the stock as a buying opportunity, though gains faded in after-hours trading.
The S&P 500 fell 0.2%, the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.6%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.1%, highlighting a cautious tone as markets brace for pivotal economic data.
