Global Markets Analysis: November Uptick Amid Trade De-escalation and Tariff Uncertainty

This analysis is based on the Reuters report [1] published on November 3, 2025, which covers global market developments and key economic events shaping market sentiment.

Global markets entered November with constructive momentum, driven by improving corporate fundamentals and easing trade tensions between the U.S. and China [1]. U.S. equity futures are higher heading into Monday’s open, building on last week’s positive performance despite the S&P 500 closing at 6,840.20 on Friday (October 31) with a modest 0.57% decline [0]. The market shows resilience amid broader uncertainties, with sector performance diverging significantly - energy stocks leading gains (+2.81%) while technology underperformed (-1.74%) [0].

Q3 2024 earnings season has exceeded expectations, with S&P 500 annual profit growth now estimated at nearly 14% - representing a five-percentage-point improvement from estimates just one month ago and surpassing initial year-start projections [1]. This robust performance demonstrates corporate America’s adaptability to challenging trade conditions and suggests underlying economic strength despite headwinds.

The U.S.-China trade agreement reached during the Trump-Xi meeting in South Korea marks a significant de-escalation from earlier tensions [1]. Key developments include China’s commitment to:

• Suspend rare earth export controls that had restricted critical mineral supplies
• End investigations into U.S. chip firms that had created regulatory uncertainty
• Continue trade cooperation despite ongoing policy differences [2][3][4][5]

However, Trump’s announcement restricting Nvidia’s most advanced chips to U.S. companies only introduces new technology export control measures that could impact global semiconductor supply chains [1][3].

Federal Reserve officials have expressed discomfort with recent policy easing decisions, creating uncertainty about future rate cuts. Traders now price only a 68% chance of another 25-basis-point rate cut in December, down from previous expectations [1]. This contrasts with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s continued advocacy for more aggressive rate cuts, highlighting internal policy debates as housing market weakness suggests some economic sectors may already be in recession due to high rates.

The ongoing federal shutdown, now exceeding 35 days, creates significant market uncertainty through multiple channels:

• Economic data availability is compromised during the “official economic data outage”
• October manufacturing surveys from S&P Global and ISM may have limited reliability
• Federal food aid lapses this month could pressure politicians toward resolution [1]

Meta’s recent $30 billion bond sale to fund AI investments highlights rising corporate leverage in the technology sector [1]. This trend could create competition with Treasury securities for investment capital and raises questions about debt sustainability in a higher-rate environment.

The November 5 Supreme Court hearing on Trump’s tariff authority under IEEPA presents significant market risk [1][6][7][8]. The case questions whether the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act properly authorizes sweeping tariffs and whether this represents unconstitutional delegation of legislative authority. While administration officials indicate tariffs would continue under alternative legal authority even if IEEPA use is struck down, a ruling against the administration could create implementation delays and require rebates to affected firms [6][7][8].

Nvidia chip restrictions could disrupt global semiconductor supply chains and escalate technology tensions [1][3]. Companies with global operations should carefully assess potential impacts on access to advanced computing resources and consider alternative strategies.

The government shutdown’s impact on economic data reliability creates uncertainty for market participants [1]. Historical patterns suggest extended data gaps typically lead to increased market volatility and greater reliance on alternative indicators.

The energy sector’s outperformance (+2.81%) reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions and supply concerns [0]. OPEC+'s decision to implement modest output increases for December while pausing increases in Q1 2025 suggests careful market management that could support energy prices [1].

China’s suspension of rare earth export controls and termination of U.S. chip firm investigations should ease supply chain pressures in critical sectors [2][3][4][5]. Companies dependent on these inputs may see improved operational predictability and cost stability.

U.S. equity futures show positive momentum with S&P 500 futures indicating higher opening [1]. Technology stocks face pressure in pre-market trading, with Apple at $270.37 (-0.38%) and Nvidia at $202.49 (-0.20%) [0].

Market participants should prioritize monitoring:

• November 5 Supreme Court arguments on tariff authority
• October manufacturing data releases despite shutdown constraints
• Federal Reserve communications for rate cut probability changes
• Corporate earnings momentum and Q4 guidance trends
• Government shutdown resolution developments [1]

The dollar has nudged up to three-month highs while Treasury yields have edged lower from Friday’s peaks [1], suggesting mixed sentiment about economic growth prospects and monetary policy expectations.

Most global bourses were higher on Monday, though Asian manufacturing hubs struggled in October due to weak U.S. demand and tariff impacts [1], highlighting the interconnected nature of global economic performance and trade policy effects.