WORLD
Asian stocks poised for weak start after US losses
Equity futures in Australia and Japan pointed to a weak start for their markets. That’s after the S&P 500 Index fell 0.3%, with shares of Tesla Inc., Nvidia Corp. and Meta Platforms among the Big Tech decliners. The Nasdaq 100 slid 0.5%.
BUSINESS
Fast fashion, delivery apps tap India's next billion consumers
As hundreds of millions of these consumers inch upward, even small discretionary purchases — a new shirt, a delivery snack, a streaming subscription — become the battleground for the country’s next phase of growth.
WORLD
Fight over Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee moves to appeals court
The national business group filed a notice of appeal Monday in Washington federal court, where a judge ruled on Dec. 23 that President Donald Trump’s effort to radically increase the cost of the popular visa is lawful.
WORLD
'We’ll knock them down': Trump vows to strike Iran again if it rebuilds nuclear program
The president also said he would support Israel in strikes if Iran continued with its ballistic missile program, which Netanyahu highlighted earlier this year as “existential” threat along with Tehran’s nuclear development.
BUSINESS
Here’s what to watch for silver’s next move after wild ride past $80
The metal rose to a record above $84 an ounce early Monday, before promptly crashing closer to $70 in thin, post-holiday trading. It was one of silver’s largest price reversals ever.
BUSINESS
SoftBank to pay $4 billion for data center firm DigitalBridge
DigitalBridge is one of the biggest investment firms focused on digital infrastructure, with about $108 billion of assets under management at the end of September
WORLD
Trump, Putin held ‘positive call,’ White House says
It remains unclear whether Trump is any closer to his goal to securing an end to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine
CRYPTOCURRENCY
Bitcoin breaks above $90,000 as traders bet on new year rebound
The original cryptocurrency rose as much as 3.1% to above $90,200 in Singapore on Monday, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
BUSINESS
Copper rallies to record near $13,000 in London after UK holiday
Investors have piled into copper in December on speculation that huge flows of metal to the US will leave the rest of the world short next year.
MARKETS
Stocks hold near record, silver falls from peak
A gauge of Asian shares gained 0.2% in early trading, while US stock futures were steady after the S&P 500 finished near an all-time high on Friday. Silver rallied 6%, pushing beyond $80 an ounce for the first time, before reversing the gains and falling more than 2%.
WORLD
Zelensky heads to US to meet Trump as Russia bombards Kyiv
More than 500 drones and 40 missiles — including Kinzhal hypersonic weapons — were launched in strikes that continued long into Saturday
BUSINESS
Russia extends temporary gasoline-export ban through February
The Russian government also extended the ban through the same date to export diesel, marine fuel and other gasoils for non-producers
WORLD
China issues draft rules to govern use of human-like AI systems
China is advancing AI as a strategic industry, investing heavily in new technologies to drive economic growth and global competitiveness
BUSINESS
Coinbase says former agent arrested in India over exchange hack
In May, the company said hackers bribed contractors or employees outside the US to steal sensitive customer data and demanded a $20 million ransom, in one of the most high-profile security breaches of a crypto trading platform.
BUSINESS
Dollar caps worst week since June with focus on data ahead
The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was steady on Friday and fell some 0.8% this week. It has declined around 8% this year, which would be its steepest annual drop since 2017.
BUSINESS
Gold and silver smash records again as rally gathers momentum
Frictions in Venezuela, where the US has blockaded oil tankers and ramped up pressure on the government of Nicolás Maduro, have added to the precious metal’s haven appeal.
COMMODITIES
Gold, silver jump to record highs on geopolitics, weak dollar
Gold has gained around 70% this year and silver more than 150%, with both metals on track for their best annual performances since 1979.
MARKETS
Stocks edge up in thin trade, silver hits record
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index extended its year-end rally, rising for a sixth consecutive day. US shares closed at a record high on Wednesday and most markets in Asia, the US and Europe were closed Thursday for Christmas Day.
BUSINESS
Sanctions delay Russia’s plan to triple LNG output, Novak says
Russia earlier aimed to produce 100 million tons of super-chilled fuel by 2030, reaching a global market share of 20%.
WORLD
Ukraine says it hit Russian gas processing plant, oil refinery
Long-range UAVs successfully hit the Orenburg gas processing plant, about 1,050 miles (1,700 km) east of Kyiv
BUSINESS
China silver fund plunges after string of moves to quell frenzy
After the fund hit its upward limit of 10% for three straight days this week, UBS SDIC Fund Management Co. tightened the rules on Wednesday evening.
WORLD
US chased oil tanker away from Venezuela amid blockade
A US official said the Coast Guard has not given up its pursuit of the tanker, and that there is a judicial seizure order on it.
BUSINESS
Toyota posts rare sales drop in November, dragged down by China
Global sales — including at subsidiaries Daihatsu Motor Co. and Hino Motors Ltd. — fell 1.9% in the period from a year earlier to 965,919 units, the Japanese carmaker said Thursday. Production shrank 3.4% to 934,001 vehicles.
BUSINESS
China’s central bank signals steady, cautious support for growth
The statement didn’t mention a reduction in interest rates or to the reserve requirement ratio, which determines how much cash banks must keep in reserves, while the PBOC pledged to make use of multiple policy tools.
