Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
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 
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 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
The U.S. dollar edged lower on Thursday, retreating from a two-week high against major currencies, as markets shrugged off President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats. Risk sentiment held strong, with investors buoyed by optimism that the most severe trade tensions may be avoided.
The Brazilian real was an outlier, plunging as much as 2.8% overnight to 5.6047 per dollar after Trump proposed a 50% tariff on the country—citing both trade concerns and the treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently on trial for attempting to overturn Brazil’s 2022 election results.
Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury yields declined sharply after a robust 10-year note auction, adding pressure on the dollar and calming fears of a broad “Sell America” trend seen earlier in the year. The dollar index dipped 0.1% to 97.286, following a 0.2% drop on Wednesday.
Market enthusiasm extended to equities and crypto. Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) became the first company to hit a $4 trillion valuation, and bitcoin surged to a record high of $111,988.90 before settling around $111,114. Analysts see potential gains toward $120,000 as investor risk appetite grows.
Federal Reserve minutes also bolstered sentiment, showing most policymakers anticipate rate cuts later this year.
In currency markets, the euro rose 0.2% to $1.1747, sterling climbed to $1.3612, the dollar fell 0.3% to 145.84 yen, and slipped 0.3% against the Swiss franc to 0.7922.
While Trump’s letters to trade partners reiterated earlier tariff proposals, countries like India, the EU, and Taiwan were notably absent, raising speculation about behind-the-scenes negotiations. A potential trade deal with India appears imminent, with the EU also nearing an agreement.
