Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
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 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
U.S. stock index futures edged lower Wednesday night as market sentiment remained fragile amid growing concerns over high government debt and uncertainty surrounding President Donald Trump’s proposed tax cut bill. Investors fear the bill could inflate spending and deepen the federal deficit.
S&P 500 Futures dipped to 5,859.75, Nasdaq 100 Futures slipped 0.1% to 21,142.75, and Dow Jones Futures fell 0.1% to 41,904.0 by 20:03 ET. This followed a sharp decline on Wall Street, driven by rising Treasury yields and economic anxiety.
The S&P 500 dropped 1.6% to 5,844.55, while the NASDAQ Composite fell 1.4% to 18,872.64. The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 1.9% to 41,860. Markets were rattled after Moody’s downgraded the U.S. credit outlook, compounding fears triggered by soft demand in the Treasury’s $16 billion 20-year bond auction.
Trump’s tax cut bill, recently cleared by a House committee, is expected to face a vote soon. However, traders are worried that slashing federal revenues without offsetting measures could worsen the national debt burden. Trump has pointed to tariffs as a fiscal offset, but revenue from these measures remains limited.
Tech stocks underperformed ahead of key earnings from Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) next week, with investors locking in profits. Broader economic concerns were further heightened by disappointing retail signals. Target (NYSE:TGT) cut its annual guidance, citing slowing consumer demand. Lowe’s (NYSE:LOW) exceeded Q1 expectations but forecast flat annual profits, while Home Depot (NYSE:HD) warned of rising prices due to tariffs. Walmart (NYSE:WMT) also previously flagged inflationary risks.
With debt worries and trade policy concerns in focus, volatility is likely to persist across equity and bond markets, as investors await clarity on fiscal direction and earnings results.
