Asian stocks crept higher following a sluggish session on Wall Street as investors awaited clues on the Federal Reserve’s policy path in its final interest-rate decision of the year.

Oil prices edged lower on Tuesday after falling 2% in the previous session, with investors keeping a close eye on peace talks to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, concerns about ample supply and a looming decision on U.S. interest rates.

The U.S. dollar traded largely flat Tuesday ahead of the start of the last Federal Reserve meeting this year, while the Aussie dollar gained on hawkish shift from the Reserve Bank of Australia. 

Germany’s car market is expected to grow by 2% to 2.9 million vehicles in 2026, according to the country’s automotive industry association VDA.

China’s trade surplus topped $1 trillion for the first time as manufacturers seeking to avoid President Donald Trump’s tariffs shipped more to non-U.S. markets in November, with exports to Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia surging.

Asia enters 2026 with slowing growth, softer exports and uneven consumer demand, but ING says the region remains supported by tech-driven investment, lower inflation and the prospect of broad rate cuts.