Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
China’s Gold Reserves Steady; Value Rises with Market Trends
China’s central bank refrained from purchasing additional gold for the fifth consecutive month in September due to rising gold prices, as per official data. The country's gold reserves stayed at 72.8 million troy ounces, while their value increased from $182.98 billion in August to $191.47 billion by the end of September.
Gold Price Surge Influences Central Bank Decisions
Gold prices have soared approximately 28% this year, heading for their biggest annual gain in 14 years. The surge is attributed to U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, rising geopolitical tensions, and continued demand from global central banks.
Global Trends: Central Bank Gold Buying Expected to Slow in 2024
According to the World Gold Council, central bank gold purchases are expected to slow in 2024 compared to 2023, though they are predicted to remain higher than pre-2022 levels. This deceleration partly reflects the People's Bank of China’s (PBOC) decision to halt purchases after an 18-month buying streak that ended in May.
China's Strategic Timing in Gold Accumulation
As the world's largest official sector gold buyer in 2023, the PBOC’s pause has softened domestic investor demand. Nitesh Shah, a commodity strategist at WisdomTree, suggests the PBOC may be holding off on new purchases to find a more attractive price entry. However, given rising geopolitical tensions and declining global interest rates, such an opportunity may be delayed. Shah forecasts that gold prices could surpass $3,000/oz in the coming year, urging the PBOC to potentially resume accumulation sooner.
