Asian Stocks Rally as Fed Rate Cut Bets Weigh on Dollar and Fuel Precious Metals Surge 
Silver Prices Hit Record Highs: How Silver Is Traded and Why Demand Is Surging 
BOJ Signals Further Rate Hikes as Inflation and Weak Yen Remain in Focus 
Asian Stock Markets Trade Narrowly as Year-End Volumes Thin, KOSPI Outperforms on Tech Rally 
Oil Prices Rise as Middle East Tensions and Ukraine Uncertainty Fuel Supply Concerns 
Yen Rebounds as Markets Assess BOJ Rate Hike Outlook and Intervention Risks 
China to Cut Import Tariffs on Key Commodities and Medical Products From Next Year 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Peace Talks and Middle East Tensions Stir Supply Concerns 
China’s Central Bank to Launch New Digital Yuan Management Framework from January 1 
Wall Street Ends Post-Christmas Session Flat as Investors Eye Santa Claus Rally 
Vietnam Central Bank Faces Challenges Meeting 2026 Economic Growth Target Amid Global Uncertainty 
Argentina Congress Approves 2026 Budget Under Milei, Marking First Legislative Passage Since 2023 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady Ahead of Holiday-Shortened Trading Week 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Volatility 
European Markets Mixed as Pound Weakens and Major Corporate Deals Emerge 
Japan to Audit Brazil’s Beef System, Paving Way for Market Access 
Major currencies traded within narrow ranges on Tuesday as subdued market conditions persisted amid thin year-end trading volumes. With many investors already sidelined ahead of the New Year holiday, activity across global foreign exchange markets remained muted, leaving currencies largely directionless while traders waited for key signals from the U.S. Federal Reserve.
By early Tuesday, the U.S. Dollar Index was little changed against a basket of major currencies, reflecting the cautious tone dominating markets. U.S. Dollar Index futures edged slightly lower, underscoring the lack of conviction among traders. In individual currency pairs, the Japanese yen strengthened modestly, with USD/JPY slipping marginally, while the British pound saw a small uptick against the dollar. The euro remained flat, highlighting the overall lack of momentum across major forex pairs.
Investor attention was firmly focused on the upcoming release of minutes from the Federal Reserve’s December policy meeting. These minutes are expected to provide deeper insight into the central bank’s thinking following its recent interest rate cut, as well as offer clues about the future direction of U.S. monetary policy heading into 2026. Market participants are particularly interested in whether policymakers expressed differing views on how aggressively rates should be eased further.
As inflation shows signs of cooling, expectations of additional Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2026 have become a major theme in currency markets. Traders have increasingly priced in the likelihood of multiple cuts next year, a shift that has weighed on the U.S. dollar in recent weeks and occasionally supported emerging market and Asian currencies. However, lingering uncertainty around the timing, scale, and pace of any future easing has kept investors cautious.
With liquidity expected to remain low until after the holiday period, many analysts anticipate continued range-bound trading in the near term. Until clearer guidance emerges from the Federal Reserve and broader macroeconomic signals improve, forex markets are likely to remain subdued, with traders prioritizing risk management over aggressive positioning.
