- As traders bet the Federal Reserve will decrease interest rates next year and dismal Chinese data fueled hopes for more policy assistance, Asian markets extended gains, heading for their best month since January.
- A measure of regional stocks has increased by more than 7% so far this month, propelled by the US dollar's decline and the Fed's indication that it is likely done tightening policy. Concerns over the country's economic prospects have caused global markets to surge, but China's stocks have stood out as the country's industrial and services sectors fell in November, according to a report released on Thursday.
- Market analyst at IG Asia Jun Rong Yeap stated, "Still-weak data may see authorities laying more options of policy support on the table, while markets continue to seek the conviction for a sustained recovery" in China.
- A measure of world stocks was on track to have its best month in three years as a result of bets on a reduction in Fed rates. US stock futures increased marginally as the currency declined relative to its peers in the Group of Ten.
- In Asian trading, Treasuries witnessed slight losses after their gains on Wednesday in anticipation of the Fed Chair Jerome Powell's address tomorrow.
