Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Asian shares started cautiously on Monday amid persistent uncertainty over U.S. trade policy, with a heavy week of economic data and major tech earnings ahead. Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims of trade progress with China, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent did not back the assertions, deepening investor unease. Christian Keller of Barclays warned that prolonged uncertainty is hurting both the U.S. and global economies, increasing recession risks.
Early trading saw MSCI’s broadest Asia-Pacific index outside Japan edge up 0.1%, Japan’s Nikkei climb 0.9%, and South Korea’s Kospi gain 0.2%. European futures rose slightly, while U.S. S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures slipped 0.4% and 0.5%, respectively. The S&P has recovered 12% from its April low but remains 10% below its peak. Although earnings have been solid with over 9% growth, the beat rate has dropped from 71% to 64%.
Investors are bracing for results from Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta, along with key U.S. reports on employment, GDP, and inflation. Payrolls are expected to rise by 135,000, though GDP growth may be muted due to a surge in gold imports. Futures imply a 64% chance of a Fed rate cut in June.
The dollar index steadied at 99.695, while the euro held at $1.1350. The Bank of Japan is expected to keep rates unchanged, and German inflation data could pressure the ECB toward another rate cut. Gold eased to $3,307 an ounce after touching record highs, and Brent crude rose slightly to $66.98 a barrel amid global growth concerns.
