Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Asian stocks climbed on Monday as investors reacted to stronger-than-expected U.S. job numbers and awaited high-stakes trade talks between the U.S. and China. Wall Street’s Friday rally, driven by the May jobs report, eased concerns over economic fallout from President Trump’s tariff policies, boosting global market sentiment.
The MSCI Asia-Pacific index outside Japan rose 0.5%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index jumped 1.3%, breaching 24,000 for the first time since March. Japan’s Nikkei gained 0.9%. The U.S. dollar slipped 0.3% against the yen to 144.39 after Friday’s 0.9% surge. The euro advanced 0.2% to $1.1422.
Despite market optimism, political unrest in California dampened risk appetite. Over the weekend, President Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles amid ongoing immigration-related protests.
Investors are closely watching trade talks in London where U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. The meeting will focus on critical minerals, a key area of economic tension, following a rare call between Trump and President Xi Jinping.
May’s U.S. employment report showed 139,000 new jobs, topping forecasts of 130,000 but below April’s 147,000. Attention now shifts to U.S. inflation data due Wednesday, which could influence Federal Reserve rate cut expectations.
Analysts say trade policy remains a major macroeconomic uncertainty. Positive signals from the talks could extend market gains. However, rising social unrest in the U.S. adds caution to the outlook.
Elsewhere, spot gold fell 0.2% to $3,303.19 an ounce, while U.S. crude held steady at $64.56 a barrel after recent gains.
