Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
US dollar gained momentum after better than expected US ISM manufacturing PMI . It hits a high of 106.73 and is currently trading around 106.52.
Manufacturing Insights: Signs of Improvement Amid Contraction
The US ISM Manufacturing PMI for November 2024 rose to 48.4, up from 46.5 in October, showing slight improvement but still indicating contraction for the eighth month. The New Orders Index increased to 50.4, suggesting weak growth, while the Employment Index improved to 48.1. Price pressures eased, with the Prices Paid Index dropping to 50.3. Overall, the US Dollar strengthened following these mixed but hopeful manufacturing reports.
Political Crisis in France: Euro Faces Headwinds
Euro lost its shine amid France's political crisis. It is facing a serious political crisis with Prime Minister Michel Barnier's minority government at risk of collapsing due to a no-confidence vote.
His proposed €60 billion budget to reduce the deficit is encountering strong opposition from both right and left-wing parties. To bypass this, Barnier used a controversial method to pass a social security budget, prompting more opposition challenges. The political turmoil has raised concerns about France's financial stability, affecting its bond yields and raising questions about future governance.
