GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian Stocks Meander, Yen at 5-Month Low in Thin Year-End Trading

GLOBAL MARKET - SINGAPORE. Asian stocks nudged higher on Friday while the dollar was firm, keeping the yen rooted near five-month lows in thin year-end trading as investors looked ahead to 2025, when the Federal Reserve is expected to take a cautious approach to rate cuts.

The Bank of Japan, on the other hand, could raise rates in the near-term, with the summary of opinions at the bank's December meeting released on Friday keeping alive the chance of a January hike. The BOJ had chosen to stand pat in its December meeting.