Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
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 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
The U.S. dollar remained under pressure on Monday, extending losses near a two-month low, while the euro and British pound held relatively steady as investors awaited a series of critical central bank decisions this week. Currency markets were largely rangebound during early Asian trading, reflecting cautious sentiment ahead of major economic events, including U.S. inflation data and the highly anticipated nonfarm payrolls report.
The Japanese yen was little changed after a key Bank of Japan survey showed that business sentiment among large manufacturers rose to a four-year high. Despite the positive data, the yen slipped 0.1% to 155.94 per dollar. The survey reinforced expectations that the Bank of Japan may raise interest rates later this week, marking a potential shift in Japan’s long-standing ultra-loose monetary policy. Market participants are closely watching Governor Kazuo Ueda’s guidance for clues on the future pace of rate hikes. Analysts at Societe Generale expect the BOJ to raise rates this week and forecast the policy rate could reach 1% by July next year, followed by gradual and cautious tightening.
Attention is also firmly on Europe, with rate decisions from the Bank of England and the European Central Bank scheduled. Markets have largely priced in a Bank of England rate cut as UK inflation shows signs of easing, though upcoming inflation data could still influence expectations. Sterling dipped 0.17% to $1.3359, while the euro edged down 0.09% to $1.1730. The ECB is widely expected to keep rates unchanged, although traders have begun speculating about a possible rate hike in 2026.
In the United States, investors are preparing for a wave of delayed economic data following a historic government shutdown. The November jobs report and inflation figures are expected to provide fresh insight into the health of the U.S. economy. The dollar index stood at 98.43, struggling to regain momentum after last week’s decline.
Meanwhile, the Australian dollar slipped slightly to $0.6647, while the New Zealand dollar edged higher to $0.5807. The Federal Reserve’s recent 25-basis-point rate cut and cautious guidance from Chair Jerome Powell continue to shape global currency trends as markets head toward year-end.
