Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
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 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
The U.S. dollar slumped to multi-month lows against major currencies on Friday after data showed weaker-than-expected job growth, reinforcing expectations of multiple Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2024. U.S. rate futures now price in 78 basis points of easing this year, with the first rate cut likely in June. Fed Chair Jerome Powell reiterated that the central bank will be cautious in adjusting rates, waiting for more clarity on economic policies and inflation trends.
The euro surged, marking its best week in 16 years with a 4.5% gain against the dollar, driven by Germany’s bold fiscal reforms. It peaked at $1.0888 before settling at $1.0845, up 0.6%. Against the yen, the dollar hovered at 147.99 yen, after earlier hitting a five-month low of 146.94 yen.
U.S. nonfarm payrolls rose by 151,000 in February, below the 160,000 forecast, with January’s figure revised down to 125,000. Average hourly earnings growth slowed to 0.3%, easing concerns over wage inflation. The dollar index, tracking the greenback against six major currencies, fell 3.5% for the week, its worst since November 2022, dipping to 103.81.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned of an economic "detox period" as the U.S. transitions from public to private spending. Meanwhile, President Trump’s tariff policy uncertainty continues to impact markets, with his recent executive order directing a strategic bitcoin reserve.
Bitcoin dropped 2.8% to $87,030.54 amid regulatory discussions at a White House summit, while ether declined 2.6% to $2,150. The dollar’s broad weakness extended against the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso, reflecting heightened market volatility.
