Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
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 Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
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 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
The S&P 500 closed lower Thursday as investor optimism over the Federal Reserve’s outlook for two rate cuts in 2025 faded. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 11 points (0.03%), while the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite each fell 0.3%. Despite a strong rally Wednesday, uncertainty over Trump’s tariffs and economic slowdown fears kept all three indexes near six-month lows.
Labor market data showed resilience as initial jobless claims inched up to 223,000 from a revised 221,000, slightly below economists' forecast of 224,000. The Fed held interest rates steady at 4.25%-4.5% for a second straight meeting, reaffirming its plan for two cuts by year-end. However, it raised its 2025 inflation forecast to 2.8%, exceeding the 2% target, while trimming its GDP outlook. Fed Chair Jerome Powell cautioned that Trump’s trade policies could impact inflation and growth.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) saw a 0.5% decline amid reports that CEO Tim Cook is revamping its AI strategy, tapping Vision Pro creator Mike Rockwell to lead Siri improvements. Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) ended flat after recalling nearly all Cybertrucks in the U.S. due to a defect that could cause exterior panels to detach. Microchip Technology (NASDAQ:MCHP) dropped 6.5% following plans to sell $1.35 billion in convertible stock to reduce debt.
Earnings reports are in focus, with FedEx (NYSE:FDX), Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU), and Nike (NYSE:NKE) set to release results. Five Below (NASDAQ:FIVE) rose 0.6% on strong Q4 earnings, while Darden Restaurants (NYSE:DRI) surged over 5% after posting better-than-expected fiscal Q3 results.
