Given the prospect of an end to the U.S. interest-rate increases next year, stocks globally will be in favor. Some of the export-driven Asian markets such as Korea and Singapore will be the biggest beneficiaries.

Japan is still at a very nascent stage of recovery from the long market slump and that recovery will continue into 2006. A market gain in Japan may also have some positive ripple effects on...

Capital inflow to Taiwan is supporting the currency. Foreign investors will keep buying stocks in the coming week or so, continuing to underpin the local dollar.

I am bearish on Taiwan.

For Taiwanese companies it is important to continue to invest in China to reduce costs and gain market share there. Taiwan’s China policy is not good for them.

Rising oil prices raise concern U.S. consumption will slow, leading to worries that exports from some Asian countries will shrink, and worsening the region’s growth outlook. The higher fuel costs may also lead to concern...