Global markets opened the week digesting a mix of corporate, macroeconomic, and asset-class developments, from early steps toward a potential SpaceX initial public offering to renewed signs of weakness in China’s economy, cautious trading in Asian equities, and tentative stabilisation in cryptocurrency markets.
Together, the updates underscore a backdrop of uneven growth, policy uncertainty and selective investor risk appetite.
SpaceX takes concrete steps toward potential IPO
SpaceX has begun the process of selecting Wall Street banks to advise it on a potential initial public offering, reported WSJ, citing people familiar with the matter.
Investment banks are scheduled to pitch for the mandate this week in a so-called “bake-off,” marking the most concrete step yet toward what could be one of the largest IPOs in recent years.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that SpaceX informed employees it was preparing for a possible public listing next year.
Chief Financial Officer Bret Johnsen told staff that a public offering could raise a significant amount of capital if execution is strong and market conditions are favourable, while stressing that the timing and certainty of any listing remain “highly uncertain.”
The move has surprised some close to the company, which is more than two decades old and a key US government contractor.
SpaceX’s valuation has been supported by its launch business and growing customer base at Starlink.
Earlier this month, the Journal reported that the company is also pursuing a secondary share sale that could value it at about $800 billion, up from around $400 billion earlier this summer.
The broader US IPO market has shown signs of renewed momentum heading into 2026.
Asian markets retreat amid central bank focus
Asian stocks fell in early trading on Monday as investors reduced risk exposure ahead of a week packed with central bank decisions and economic data.
MSCI’s broad Asia-Pacific index outside Japan dropped 1%, led by a fall of as much as 2.7% in South Korean shares, despite the market being among the world’s best performers this year.
Market participants cited thinning liquidity as year-end approaches.
US equity futures edged higher, while the yield on the 10-year Treasury eased slightly as investors awaited delayed US economic data releases and rate decisions from major central banks.
The Bank of Japan is expected to raise rates by 25 basis points, while the Bank of England may cut by a similar amount.
The European Central Bank and several Nordic central banks are expected to hold rates steady.
China’s economic slowdown deepens in November
Fresh data showed China’s economic slowdown intensified in November, with consumption, investment, and industrial output all missing expectations.
Retail sales rose just 1.3% year-on-year, well below forecasts, while industrial production grew 4.8%, its weakest pace since August 2024.
Fixed-asset investment contracted 2.6% in the first 11 months of the year, marking the sharpest slump since 2020.
Real estate investment fell 15.9%, and home price declines deepened across major cities.
Economists pointed to weak consumer sentiment, falling auto sales, and the prolonged property downturn as key drags.
While policymakers have pledged further fiscal support, including ultra-long-term bonds and trade-in programmes, analysts remain cautious about the outlook without clearer improvements in jobs and wage growth.
Despite domestic headwinds, strong exports helped keep China on track to meet its official growth target, though concerns persist over reliance on foreign demand.
Bitcoin and Ethereum attempt to stabilise
Cryptocurrency markets showed signs of stabilisation after recent declines.
Bitcoin rebounded from a low near $87,582 but continued to trade below key resistance around $90,000–$90,500, with technical indicators suggesting improving short-term momentum.
At press time, Bitcoin was trading at $89,611, down 0.67% over 24 hours.
Ethereum also attempted to recover after dipping toward $3,000, but remained below the $3,200 resistance level.
Ether was last trading at $3,119, up 0.23% on the day.
Analysts noted that both assets would need to clear nearby resistance zones to sustain a broader recovery.
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