Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Gold prices edged higher on Friday after two days of steep losses, supported by investor caution ahead of U.S.-China trade talks and mixed signals from the new U.S.-U.K. trade framework. Spot gold rose 0.4% to $3,320.95 per ounce, while June gold futures gained 0.5% to $3,329.24 as of 05:44 GMT. Despite recent volatility, the yellow metal is poised for a weekly gain of over 2%, reflecting lingering uncertainty in global markets.
Earlier in the Asian session, gold slipped on optimism surrounding easing trade tensions. However, doubts remain over the broader impact of the U.K. trade agreement, especially with the U.S. maintaining a 10% tariff on British imports. In response, the U.K. reduced its tariff rate to 1.8% from 5.1%. President Donald Trump confirmed the deal on Thursday and hinted at substantive upcoming negotiations with China, scheduled for the weekend.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized that more trade deals are expected but reiterated the administration’s intent to uphold the 10% blanket tariff. ING analysts expressed skepticism that the U.K. deal would spark wider trade de-escalation, noting that only progress with China could significantly impact global trade dynamics.
A weaker U.S. dollar also supported gold prices by making the metal more attractive to international buyers. Meanwhile, silver futures held steady at $32.653 an ounce, and platinum rose 0.5% to $986.55.
In base metals, copper prices dipped despite resilient Chinese trade data. London copper futures fell 0.4% to $9,395.20 a ton, while July copper contracts on U.S. exchanges dropped 1.4% to $4.540 a pound, reflecting cautious sentiment ahead of trade talks with Beijing.
