Stocks Mixed Amid French Political Turmoil

Asian markets traded mixed amid positive momentum from Wall Street, where the S&P 500 and Nasdaq reached new highs. Investors are anticipating crucial economic data releases, including the U.S. November employment report, with a 76% likelihood of a Federal Reserve rate cut indicated by futures. In South Korea, inflation rose to 1.5%, exceeding expectations but still below forecasts, while Japanese stocks saw gains. In Europe, political turmoil in France led to a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Barnier, impacting French equities and increasing borrowing costs. The euro weakened against the dollar amidst concerns about potential interest rate cuts from the European Central Bank. The U.S. market was mixed, buoyed by technology stocks, while broader European shares experienced slight declines due to the political situation in France.