Asian stocks hovered near record highs and currencies steadied after a volatile day on Monday, as markets regained some stability following speculation over possible yen intervention. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 0.6% to trade just below a record, with tech shares such as SK Hynix Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. among the gainers. South Korea’s Kospi index — one of the world’s best-performing benchmarks this year — rose 1.9% after opening lower following President Donald Trump’s threat to raise tariffs on the country. US equity-index futures also advanced. The yen was little changed after two days of gains against the dollar amid speculation the US may coordinate currency intervention with Japan. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was steady, hovering around lows last seen in 2022. The Korean won weakened after surging on Monday. Recent trading has been marked by cross-asset volatility, driven by turmoil in Japan’s bond market and speculation over possible yen intervention. Attention now shifts to the Federal Reserve’s policy decision due Wednesday and megacap technology earnings set to test the durability of the AI-driven rally. Despite the heightened moves in currencies and metals, stock traders seemed unflustered by the potential for volatility. Wall Street gauges rose Monday after posting the first two-week losses since June. Enthusiasm over the most-eventful earnings week of the season has investors increasing exposure to tech shares ahead of results from four of the “Magnificent Seven” megacaps, according to Jose Torres at Interactive Brokers. Meanwhile, Trump ratcheted up trade tensions with South Korea following his threat to raise duties on Canadian products to 100% if Ottawa signed a trade deal with China.
Trump attributed a 25% tariff hike on South Korean goods to the country’s legislature failing to codify a trade agreement reached with the US last year. Earlier this month, Trump had threatened to slap tariffs on European countries’ goods over his quest to seize control of Greenland. He then backed off. While South Korean shares opened lower, dip buyers see that as an opportunity to buy, rather than step aside, said Jung In Yun, chief executive officer at Fibonacci Asset Management Global. Meanwhile, the yen remained in focus after comments from Japanese officials fueled speculation that the government may intervene in the market to prevent the currency from resuming its slide. To some, however, the recent rally has partly neutralized the likelihood of intervention. In other corners of the market, gold and silver traded near their record highs on Tuesday. Oil steadied. Treasuries remained in a narrow range with Fed officials expected to hold rates steady following three straight cuts at the end of 2025, as a steadier jobs market restores a degree of consensus at the central bank after months of growing division. Expectations about Fed policy have been shifting in response to changes in the consensus view on whom Trump will nominate to succeed Chair Jerome Powell, whose term expires in May. US After Hours SANM -8% following earnings; CR +2% and GGG +2% higher on earnings; health insurance stocks under pressure.
Nikkei +0.85% Hang Seng +1.29% CSI +0.25% Shanghai +0.37% Shenzen -0.01%
Eur$ 1.1876 CNH 6.9549 CNY 6.9576 JPY 154.55 GBP 1.3679 CHF 0.7773 RUB 76.4787 TRY 43.3926 WTI$ 60.25 -0.59% Gold 5,075 +1.30% Silver 109.64 -8% BTC 88,737 +0.86% ETH 2,947 +0.70%
S&P +0.30% Nasdaq +0.61% EuroStoxx +0.34% FTSE +0.28% Dax +0.20% SMI +0.27%
Macro :
- Trump Vows to Raise Tariffs to 25% on South Korean Goods (4)
- Europe Car Sales Rise in November on Budget EV Demand
- Europe Car Sales Rise in November on Budget EV Demand
- Bitcoin Miners Power Down US Operations in Wake of Winter Storm
- Insurers Sink on US Plan to Keep Medicare Payment Rates Flat
- US Policy Threats Fuel Shift to Gold From Dollars, Amundi Says
- Starmer Says UK Won’t Be Forced to Choose Between US, China
- EU and India Conclude Trade Talks, Seeking Trump Alternatives
- Xi Seeks ‘Total Control’ of Military With Purges, US Envoy Says
- Italy Declares Emergency as Storm Damage Tops €1.5 Billion
Keep an eye on :
Keep an eye on :
- ACG LN : ACG Metals Pursuing Up to 10 Deals to Buy Copper Mines: FT
- AZN LN : AstraZeneca, GSK to Join Starmer Delegation to China: Reuters
- BHG SS : BHG Group 4Q Sales Match Estimates
- BIOAB SS : BioArctic: Eisai Submits Lecanemab Variation Proposal to EMA
- CAPSL NO : Capsol Technologies Offers Up to 8.65m Shares at NOK5.20/Share
- CSG NA : CSG’s Record IPO Sets Europe up For Defense-Led Listings Rebound
- G1A GY : GEA Group Has Strong Order Beat, EPS Misses
- GIMB BB : Gimv to Discontinue New Life Sciences Investments
- GSK LN : AstraZeneca, GSK to Join Starmer Delegation to China: Reuters
- GS US : Goldman’s Solomon Sees ‘Slower’ Trajectory for Talent Growth
- JAR LN : Jardine Matheson Seeks Steady Increase of Dividend and Earnings
- KER FP : Anta Becomes Top Puma Shareholder With $1.8 Billion Stake
- MU US : Micron Invests $24 Billion in Singapore to Boost Chip Output
- NKE US : Nike Says It Is Investigating Possible Data Breach: Reuters
- NKE US : Nike to cut 775 employees as it accelerates 'automation' at U.S. distribution centers
- NUE US : Nucor 4Q Net Sales Miss Estimates
- PIRC IM : Pirelli’s Chinese Investor Proposes Plan to Address US Concerns
- PUM GY : Anta Sports to Buy 29% Stake in Puma for $1.8 Billion
- QIA GY : Qiagen Names Thermo Fisher Ex-COO Stevenson to Supervisory Board
- ROG SW : Roche’s CT-388 Obesity Drug Achieved 22.5% Weight Loss
- CRM US : Salesforce Wins $5.6 billion US Army Contract
- SNI NO : Stolt-Nielsen in Talks to Sell Up to 50% of Stake in Avenir LNG
- SNI NO : Stolt-Nielsen in Talks to Sell Up to 50% of Stake in Avenir LNG
- SFZN SW : Siegfried to Buy Drug Substance Units of Noramco, Extractas
- UBI FP : Ubisoft in Talks to Cut Up to 200 Roles at French HQ
- UNH US : *UNITEDHEALTH, CVS SINK MORE THAN 9% ON MEDICARE RATES REPORT
- VAR NO : Var Energi Prelim 4Q Avg Production 397,000 BOE/D (1)