Asian equities began the week on a firmer footing as expectations for a US interest rate cut lifted sentiment across the region, even as oil prices slipped on progress in Russia-Ukraine peace efforts.Market confidence improved after New York Federal Reserve President John Williams indicated there was still “room for a further adjustment” at the Fed’s 9–10 December meeting, reported AFP. His remarks pushed the probability of a rate cut to around 70%, up sharply from earlier levels. As per CNBC, Williams suggested labour-market weakness poses a bigger economic threat than higher inflation.The shift in expectations helped Asian stocks rebound from last week’s sell-off, when fears of a tech-sector bubble—particularly in AI-linked shares—triggered a broad retreat. As per AFP, Hong Kong and Seoul jumped more than 1% on Monday, with Sydney, Singapore, Wellington and Taipei also rising. South Korea’s Kospi was 1.13% higher, according to CNBC, while Samsung climbed over 4% in early trade. Japan’s markets were shut for a holiday.Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 1.4% to 25,568.08, while China’s Shanghai Composite slipped 0.1%. US futures also advanced after a solid Friday session on Wall Street.In Australia, CNBC reported that Qube shares surged nearly 20% after receiving an A$11.6 billion takeover offer from Macquarie Asset Management, while BHP added 0.4% after ruling out a merger with Anglo American.Alongside the equity rebound, cryptocurrencies remained under pressure. Bitcoin hovered near $87,000, up from last week’s trough but still far below its $126,200 record.Crude prices, meanwhile, edged lower. Brent was down 0.22% at $62.42 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate slipped 0.26% to $57.91, as per Reuters. The drop extended last week’s losses, driven by concerns that a breakthrough in Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations could see sanctions rolled back and previously restricted Russian crude return to the market.US President Donald Trump has set a Thursday deadline for progress, though European leaders are seeking revisions. According to Reuters, IG analyst Tony Sycamore said the sell-off was mainly fuelled by Trump’s strong push for a peace deal, which markets viewed as a “fast track” to unlocking substantial Russian supply. He added that talks overshadowed the immediate impact of fresh US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, which have stranded nearly 48 million barrels of Russian oil at sea.A strengthening US dollar has added further pressure, with the dollar index hitting its highest level since May, Reuters noted, making crude more expensive for non-US buyers.Asia-Pacific traders now await US producer price data later this week—one of the few remaining indicators before the Fed meets—after the delay of other releases due to the US government shutdown. A stronger-than-expected reading could complicate the Fed’s decisions despite recent labour-market weakness.

Asian stocks edge higher as US rate cut hopes rise
Tech stocks lead Asian shares higher Yen stuck near 10-month low U.S. President Trump holds call with Japan PM Takaichi amid Tokyo-Beijing row SYDNEY, Nov 25 (Reuters) – Asian share markets rallied on Tuesday as hopes grew the Federal Reserve will deliver a December interest rate cut, while investors piled into global technology stocks shrugging












