Japan finance minister Suzuki keeps mum when asked about stealth FX intervention

Corn futures rally 2-4.5 cents on record ethanol grind & strong exports. Spec funds flip net long.

Cotton futures rally 20-33 pts as shorts trim positions. Coffee sinks on ample supply outlook; Cocoa rebounds on surplus estimate cuts.

Japan signals FX vigilance, leans against yen weakness with verbal intervention Verbal intervention may help cap near-term yen weakness, but sustained stabilisation will depend on BOJ policy signals and global rate dynamics.

Trump pre-Christmas $1776 check for US service members. Fiscal stimulus, at the margin. The proposal is modest in macro terms but reinforces expectations of targeted fiscal support and renewed use of direct cash transfers.

Honda to suspend Japan and China output as supply and demand pressures persist The production halts reinforce concerns that both supply constraints and softer demand could weigh on auto-sector earnings into 2026. Shares fell

China to manage CNH liquidity, PBoC to issue CNY 40bln of 6-month bills in Hong Kong The PBoC will issue 40bn yuan of 182-day bills in Hong Kong on December 22. The move targets CNH conditions rather than signalling tighter onshore monetary policy.

AI data centers strain IL grid, risking shortages & higher bills. Suburbs pause projects. Traders eye energy sector valuations.