Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
The U.S. dollar strengthened above an 11-week low on Thursday as market uncertainty grew following President Donald Trump's vague tariff threats on Europe and delays to levies on Canadian and Mexican goods.
The euro steadied at $1.0479 after dropping from a one-month high of $1.0529, with investors watching Germany’s coalition government talks and Trump’s proposed 25% “reciprocal” tariff on European cars and goods.
Trump also hinted that 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports might take effect on April 2 instead of March 4. However, a White House official clarified that existing levies remain “as of now” while Trump reviews border security measures and efforts to curb opioid smuggling.
The Canadian dollar hovered near a two-week low, while the Mexican peso traded at 20.408 per dollar. Meanwhile, the dollar index edged up 0.10% to 106.56, moving away from its two-month low of 106.12 hit earlier in the week.
Despite Trump’s mixed messages, markets remained cautious. "Traders are waiting for a real catalyst, and Trump’s rhetoric wasn’t one," said Matt Simpson, a senior market analyst at City Index.
Concerns over slowing U.S. economic growth and inflation have weakened the dollar nearly 4% from its January peak. Recent economic data, including weak business activity and a decline in consumer confidence, have fueled expectations of at least two Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2025, though no immediate changes are expected.
Elsewhere, the yen held at 149.17 per dollar, benefiting from falling U.S. Treasury yields and speculation of Bank of Japan rate hikes. Sterling traded at $1.2667 after reaching a two-month high of $1.2717. The Australian and New Zealand dollars remained near recent lows, with the Aussie at $0.6303 and the Kiwi at $0.5696.
