U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
U.S. stocks surged Monday, bouncing back from Friday’s sharp selloff as investors welcomed signs of easing tensions between Washington and Beijing. The S&P 500 jumped 1.6%, the Nasdaq Composite soared 3.2%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 588 points, or 1.3%, after President Donald Trump struck a conciliatory tone toward China.
Trump said over the weekend that “everything will be fine” and that the U.S. was not looking to harm China, remarks that helped calm fears of a full-blown trade war. His earlier threats to impose tariffs of up to 100% on Chinese goods and restrict exports of critical U.S. software had rattled markets, especially after Beijing expanded its export curbs on rare earth materials. However, the upcoming meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping could offer a diplomatic “off-ramp,” analysts at Capital Economics noted.
Despite hopes of de-escalation, traders remain cautious amid unpredictable policy shifts. A deeper U.S.-China rift could still weigh heavily on both economies, though China’s resilience has exceeded expectations so far.
Tech stocks led Monday’s rally, fueled by artificial intelligence enthusiasm and prospects for lower interest rates. Broadcom shares surged 10% after announcing a multiyear partnership with OpenAI to develop and deploy 10 gigawatts of custom AI accelerators and computing systems by 2029. Oracle also gained ahead of its major AI event in Las Vegas, while chipmakers ASML and TSMC prepare to release earnings later this week.
In media news, Warner Bros Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) jumped after reports that it rejected a $20-per-share takeover offer from Paramount Skydance, potentially setting the stage for renewed negotiations or a hostile bid.
Meanwhile, gold prices soared to new record highs, with spot gold hitting $4,109.79 per ounce and U.S. futures climbing to $4,128.85, as investors sought safety amid global uncertainty. Silver also reached an all-time high, underscoring strong safe-haven demand despite improving market sentiment.
