Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Wall Street closed higher on Friday, lifted by technology shares, as optimism over a potential easing of U.S.-China trade tensions buoyed markets. Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) surged 1.7% after surpassing earnings expectations and reaffirming its AI investment plans, helping push the S&P 500 technology, consumer discretionary, and communication services sectors up more than 1% each.
Investors are closely watching corporate earnings calls, cautious of any reduced forecasts amid ongoing uncertainty over President Donald Trump's tariff strategies. Trump claimed in a Time magazine interview that trade talks with China were progressing, though Beijing denied any negotiations, adding to the mixed signals over the global trade outlook. Tariffs imposed since April 2 had raised fears of slowed economic growth.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 20.10 points (0.05%) to 40,113.50, the S&P 500 rose 40.44 points (0.74%) to 5,525.21, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 216.90 points (1.26%) to 17,382.94. Globally, MSCI’s stock index advanced 0.60%, while Europe’s STOXX 600 added 0.35%. Japan’s Nikkei jumped 1.8%, fully recovering from tariff-related losses.
The dollar logged its first weekly gain since March, rising 0.07% against a currency basket. It strengthened 0.67% against the yen to 143.555, while the euro edged down 0.11% to $1.1377. Gold prices dropped 1.7% to $3,292.99 an ounce, despite the dollar’s recovery.
U.S. Treasury yields slipped, with the benchmark 10-year note yield falling to 4.268%, reflecting hopes for a Federal Reserve rate cut. Oil prices edged higher but posted weekly losses, with Brent closing at $66.87 and WTI at $63.02 per barrel.
