Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Tropical Cyclone Alfred has inflicted an estimated A$1.2 billion ($759 million) in damages, trimming Australia’s GDP growth by 0.25 percentage points in the March quarter, according to Australian media. The cyclone, which made landfall north of Brisbane after weakening to a tropical low, caused flash floods and power outages across Queensland and New South Wales.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers, set to address the Queensland Media Club on Tuesday, will highlight the financial strain on the national budget, with recovery costs expected to be significant. "We don’t yet know the precise cost to our budget, but again it will be substantial," he will say, emphasizing the burden on government finances ahead of his final budget announcement before the mid-May election.
The disaster may also push inflation higher, particularly due to damage to fruit and vegetable farms. The Labor government faces mounting economic pressures as it seeks re-election, with recent polls showing the opposition Liberal-National coalition slightly ahead.
As of Friday, more than 53,000 insurance claims have been filed, according to the Insurance Council of Australia, highlighting the storm’s extensive impact.
Chalmers is also expected to discuss potential economic consequences from U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum, further adding to global economic uncertainties.
