BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
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 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
Most Asian currencies fell on Monday as the U.S. dollar strengthened in the wake of American strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, stoking demand for safe-haven assets. The dollar index added roughly 0.3% in early Asian trade, extending last week’s rise after several Federal Reserve officials signaled interest rates may stay higher for longer. Investors now look to Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s testimony before Congress on Tuesday and Wednesday for policy clues.
Safe-haven flows favored the greenback even as traditional refuges such as gold and the Japanese yen weakened. Tehran’s reported threat to block the Strait of Hormuz—a choke-point for nearly a fifth of global crude shipments—fueled a jump in oil prices and heightened inflation worries across energy-dependent Asia.
The Chinese yuan slipped, with the onshore USDCNY pair up 0.1%, while the Singapore dollar’s USDSGD pair advanced 0.2%. South Korea’s won led regional losses, the USDKRW pair climbing 0.7%. India’s rupee also softened, nudging USDINR 0.2% higher.
Positive economic data offered little support. Australia’s AUDUSD fell 0.7% despite June PMIs showing resilient manufacturing and services growth. Japan’s yen lost 0.5% even after surveys revealed the first factory-sector expansion in 11 months and faster service-sector growth.
With geopolitical tensions elevated and U.S. monetary policy still restrictive, traders remain cautious. Any escalation in the Middle East or unexpectedly hawkish remarks from Powell could keep currency volatility high in the days ahead.
