Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Wall Street closed sharply higher on Monday, driven by strong rebounds in major artificial intelligence (AI) and technology stocks, as hopes grew that Washington was nearing a resolution to the record-breaking U.S. government shutdown.
The longest shutdown in U.S. history appears close to ending after a bipartisan compromise to restore federal funding cleared a Senate hurdle late Sunday. Though final approval from Congress remains pending, investor sentiment turned positive.
“The shutdown had gone on longer than expected, raising concerns about the economy and potential travel disruptions,” said Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer at Northlight Asset Management.
Tech giants led the charge, with Nvidia soaring 5.8%, Palantir jumping 8.8%, and Tesla gaining 3.7%. The S&P 500 technology sector, which had dropped 4.2% last week, bounced back strongly. “This is a classic ‘buy the dip’ rally,” said Ross Mayfield, investment strategist at Baird. “The AI theme remains solid, supported by strong earnings.”
The S&P 500 advanced 1.54% to 6,832.43, the Nasdaq surged 2.27% to 23,527.17—its biggest one-day gain since May 27—and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.81% to 47,368.63. Semiconductor stocks also surged, lifting the PHLX index 3%, while the small-cap Russell 2000 gained 0.9%.
Trading volume was slightly below average, with 17.9 billion shares exchanged. Meanwhile, airlines faced pressure amid flight cuts and staff shortages—United Airlines slipped 1.3% and American Airlines lost 2.5%.
Health insurers tumbled as the Senate deal ended the 40-day shutdown without extending Affordable Care Act subsidies. Centene plunged 8.8%, Humana fell 5.4%, and Elevance Health dropped 4.4%.
Elsewhere, Pfizer won a $10 billion bidding war for Metsera, sending Metsera shares down 14.8%. Eli Lilly gained 4.6% to a record high after an analyst upgrade.
Optimism over AI continues to drive Wall Street’s 2025 bull run, signaling renewed investor confidence in the tech-driven economy.
