Market Performance - The three major U.S. stock indices closed higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising by 305.43 points (0.66%) to 46,429.49 points, the Nasdaq Composite increasing by 0.77% to 21,929.83 points, and the S&P 500 gaining 0.54% to 6,591.90 points [1][2]. Technology Sector - The Wande American Technology Seven Giants Index rose by 0.80%, with notable gains from Amazon (up 2.16%), NVIDIA (up 1.99%), and Tesla (up 0.76%). However, Microsoft saw a slight decline of nearly 0.5% due to mixed market sentiment [3][4]. Semiconductor and Storage Stocks - The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index increased by 1.21% to 7,967.74 points, indicating a strong performance in the semiconductor sector [5]. - In contrast, the storage sector experienced a downturn, with Western Digital falling by 1.63%, Seagate by 2.6%, and Micron Technology dropping over 3%. This decline was attributed to concerns over AI storage demand following Google's introduction of a new memory compression technology [7]. Chinese Stocks - Chinese assets saw a significant rally, with the Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index rising by 1.86% and the Wande Chinese Technology Leaders Index increasing by 1.93%. Notable individual stock performances included Meituan surging by 14.43% and JD.com by 8.30% [8][9]. Commodity Market - Precious metals continued their strong performance, with COMEX gold futures rising by 2.2% to approximately $4,530 per ounce and silver futures increasing by 2.6% to $70.41 per ounce. Gold stocks also performed well, with Harmony Gold rising over 5% [10]. - Conversely, international oil prices fell significantly, with light crude oil futures dropping by $2.03 to $90.32 per barrel, and Brent crude futures down by $2.27 to $102.22 per barrel, influenced by easing tensions in the Middle East [11]. Inflation and Interest Rates - U.S. Treasury yields fell, with the 10-year yield decreasing by 7.6 basis points to 4.32%. Rising inflation concerns, driven by increased oil prices, have altered market expectations regarding the Federal Reserve's interest rate path, with no anticipated rate cuts for the year [12].

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. economy showed a disappointing growth rate of 1.4% in Q4, significantly below market expectations, while inflation remains high, complicating the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions [2][3][4]. Economic Data - The Dow Jones increased by 124.19 points (0.25%) to 49,519.35, the Nasdaq rose by 170.66 points (0.75%) to 22,853.39, and the S&P 500 gained 37.57 points (0.55%) to 6,899.46 [3][11]. - The annualized GDP growth rate for Q4 was reported at 1.4%, compared to an expected 2.5% and a previous quarter's growth of 4.4% [3][11]. - The core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index rose by 3% in December, aligning with market expectations but remaining above the Federal Reserve's 2% target [6][12]. Federal Reserve Insights - There is a division among Federal Reserve policymakers, with some focusing on labor market support while others prioritize inflation concerns [7][12]. - The overall trend in price increases is declining, yet the inflation rate still exceeds the central bank's target [12]. Trade Policy Developments - The U.S. Supreme Court rejected former President Trump's global tariff policy, marking a significant legal setback for him [7][12]. - Following the court's decision, Trump announced plans to impose a 10% global tariff based on different legal authority, while maintaining existing national security tariffs [13][14].

Group 1 - The international silver market is currently trading below $78.17, with a recent price of $78.05, reflecting a decrease of 0.15% [1] - Market sentiment shows a reduction in concerns over geopolitical issues, leading to a marginal recovery in risk appetite and a temporary weakening of safe-haven buying [1] - Investors are entering a wait-and-see mode ahead of the release of key U.S. macroeconomic data, with expectations of approximately 60,000 new jobs added in December and a slight decrease in the unemployment rate to 4.5% [1] Group 2 - The silver market opened at $81.256, reached a high of $82.764, and then fell to a low of $76.323 before closing at $78.146, indicating a significant bearish trend [2] - Technical adjustments are noted, with key support levels identified at $37.8, $50.75, and $52.7, while stop-loss levels are set at $68 [2] - Today's trading strategy suggests a short position at $81 with a stop-loss at $81.3, targeting levels of $80, $79.2, $78.5, and $78, with further breakdown levels at $77.3 and $76.3 [2]

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. stock market experienced a slight increase in early trading on Tuesday, continuing its upward trend since the beginning of the year, with investors focusing on upcoming economic reports, particularly employment data [1] Economic Indicators - Key economic reports to be released this week include the S&P Global Services PMI, factory orders, and unemployment claims, which will help assess the Federal Reserve's interest rate path [1] Market Reactions - Despite the significant geopolitical event involving the U.S. military's capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Wall Street's reaction was muted, indicating a lack of immediate concern among investors [1] - Safe-haven assets such as gold and U.S. Treasuries saw an increase, while the Cboe Volatility Index, which measures market fear, remained low, staying below 16 [1] Market Outlook - The continuation of the bull market into 2026 is contingent upon multiple favorable factors, given the current tensions in trade, slowing economic growth, and uncertainties surrounding AI trading [1] - Adam Crisafulli, founder of Vital Knowledge, emphasized that fiscal and monetary stimulus policies continue to support the market [1]

Core Viewpoint - The MSCI Asia-Pacific Index has risen for six consecutive trading days, marking its best weekly performance since late November, despite concerns over artificial intelligence and the Federal Reserve's interest rate path [1] Group 1: Market Performance - Asian stock markets experienced a slight increase on December 26, contributing to the MSCI Asia-Pacific Index's six-day rally [1] - The index is expected to achieve its best weekly performance since the end of November [1] Group 2: Investor Sentiment - Market bulls remain optimistic, attributing their positive sentiment to the "Santa Rally," which is believed to drive stock prices to new highs [1] - Historically, such upward trends typically occur during the last five trading days of the year and the first two trading days of the new year [1]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article indicates that the U.S. stock market is experiencing light trading, with the S&P 500 index maintaining near historical highs as investors analyze labor market data for clues on the Federal Reserve's interest rate path [1] - The Nasdaq 100 and Dow indices showed little change, reflecting a stable market environment [1] - Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report, suggests that as the year-end approaches, investors are pricing in a strong economic soft landing, indicating optimism for robust earnings growth in the coming quarters, which may provide further upward potential for the stock market [1]

Group 1: Employment Data - The U.S. non-farm payroll report for November shows an addition of 64,000 jobs, following a decrease of 105,000 jobs in October, indicating a weak labor market [3][9][10] - The unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in November, the highest since 2021, up from 4.4% in September [3][9][10] - Economists had expected an increase of 45,000 jobs and a rise in the unemployment rate to 4.5% [10] Group 2: Retail Sales - U.S. retail sales for October remained flat, primarily due to weak auto and gasoline sales [4][11] - Excluding auto dealers and gas stations, retail sales increased by 0.5% in October [11] Group 3: Market Reactions - The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 302.30 points (0.62%), while the Nasdaq rose by 54.05 points (0.23%) [3][8] - WTI crude oil prices dropped below $55, marking a new low since 2021, which pressured the energy sector [3][8] Group 4: Future Outlook - Market expectations for a rate cut by the Federal Reserve in January remain low, with a 24% probability [6][13] - Despite recent declines in major stock indices, there is optimism for a potential upturn in the U.S. stock market, with all sectors of the S&P 500 likely to record annual gains [6][13]

Core Viewpoint - The report from OCBC Bank's investment research department indicates that the Federal Reserve's interest rate path is likely to dominate the unit price performance of Singapore-listed Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) [1] Group 1: Interest Rate Impact - OCBC Bank anticipates a "more robust" rate cut pace by the Federal Reserve in 2026 compared to market expectations [1] - The expected interest rate trajectory may suppress the price performance of REITs [1] - A favorable interest rate environment could lead to a turning point in the growth of REITs' per unit distributions next year [1] Group 2: Sector Preferences - Retail remains the favored sub-sector for OCBC Bank, followed by logistics and industrial REITs focused on data centers [1] - Preferred stocks include CapitaLand Commercial Trust and Keppel Data Centres REIT [1] Group 3: Variability Among REITs - The benefits from interest cost savings may not be evenly distributed among different REITs, depending on their hedging and debt maturity profiles [1]

Group 1 - The three major U.S. stock indices showed mixed performance, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising over 1% to reach a record closing high [1] - The Dow Jones ETF increased nearly 3%, setting a new all-time high [1] - The S&P Biotechnology ETF rose over 4%, while the Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF gained over 2% [1] Group 2 - Analysts believe that Wall Street is betting on the potential end of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, leading to optimistic investor sentiment [2] - Investors are hopeful that upcoming official economic data will provide more insights into the Federal Reserve's interest rate path [2]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the strengthening of the US dollar amidst global market volatility driven by tech stock earnings and unclear central bank policies, highlighting a shift in market sentiment towards safer assets like the dollar [1][6]. Group 1: US Dollar Dynamics - The US dollar index stabilized at 99.5, reaching a three-month high due to risk-averse sentiment following a decline in US stocks [1]. - Market expectations regarding the Federal Reserve's interest rate path have shifted, with traders reducing bets on a rate cut in December, enhancing the appeal of dollar assets [6][8]. - The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note rose to approximately 4.1%, reflecting the changing market expectations and increasing the relative attractiveness of dollar-denominated assets [8]. Group 2: Japanese Yen Performance - The Japanese yen stabilized after reaching a near nine-month low, supported by comments from the new Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, who indicated a heightened monitoring of foreign exchange trends [3][7]. - Despite a slight rebound, the yen has depreciated by 4% against the dollar over the past month, marking its worst monthly performance since July [3]. - Tokyo's core consumer price index (CPI) rose by 2.8% year-on-year, exceeding market expectations and complicating the Bank of Japan's position on maintaining interest rates [7]. Group 3: Other Major Currencies - The euro appreciated to 1.156 against the dollar, following the European Central Bank's decision to keep rates unchanged at 2% for the third consecutive meeting [11]. - The British pound remained stable at 1.31555 against the dollar, amid political pressures faced by the UK Chancellor [15]. - Commodity currencies like the Australian and New Zealand dollars showed weakness, with the Australian dollar down 0.1% to 0.65495 and the New Zealand dollar down 0.2% to 0.57325, reflecting global risk aversion [15].