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U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
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Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
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China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
U.S. Stocks Slip as Gold Rebounds Ahead of Year-End, Markets Eye 2026 Outlook 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech and Financial Stocks Weigh on Markets Amid Thin Holiday Trading 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
Singapore GDP Growth Surges in 2025 but Outlook Remains Cautious Amid Global Trade Risks 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
Credit loans by South Korean banks to individuals are set to increase for the third consecutive month in August due to soaring housing costs and other factors.
The country's five major lenders, namely KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori, and NH Nonghyup, posted outstanding unsecured loans to individuals totaling 121.49 trillion won as of Thursday, up 1.29 trillion won from July.
July's increase was mainly due to surging home prices that resulted in a race to buy apartments before more price increases.
The government has been employing measures to keep apartment prices in check but had not been successful.
But the recent bullish stock market also prompted retail investors to take out bank loans to invest, causing a surge in credit loans.
The pandemic also forced the jobless to borrow from banks.
