Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
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 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Asian currencies saw modest gains on Monday as the US dollar retreated ahead of key trade talks between the U.S. and China in London. The US Dollar Index dipped 0.2% during Asian trading hours, reversing some of Friday’s gains driven by strong U.S. jobs data. However, US Dollar Index Futures remained 0.2% higher, reflecting investor caution.
The anticipated meeting between U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng aims to build on last month’s tentative Geneva truce. Talks are expected to address tariff rollbacks, tech export restrictions, and trade rule frameworks, raising hopes for easing global trade tensions.
Despite cautious optimism, regional markets remained restrained ahead of the U.S. CPI inflation report later this week, a key factor in shaping future Federal Reserve policy.
Among major currencies, the Singapore dollar slipped 0.2% against the USD, while the Indian rupee and South Korean won also weakened 0.2%. The Australian dollar gained 0.3% against the greenback. The Japanese yen strengthened, with the USD/JPY pair falling 0.3% after data showed Japan’s Q1 economic contraction was less severe than first reported.
China’s yuan traded flat, with both onshore (USD/CNY) and offshore (USD/CNH) pairs remaining steady. Soft Chinese inflation data and underwhelming export figures weighed on sentiment. The CPI declined for a fourth straight month in May, while producer prices saw their sharpest drop in nearly two years. Although exports missed forecasts, a steeper drop in imports pushed China’s trade surplus above expectations.
Overall, Asian forex markets remain on alert, balancing hopes for trade de-escalation with broader macroeconomic pressures and upcoming U.S. data releases.
