Why Trump’s new pick for Fed chair hit gold and silver markets – for good reasons 
Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
BOJ Rate Decision in Focus as Yen Weakness and Inflation Shape Market Outlook 
Australia’s Corporate Regulator Urges Pension Funds to Boost Technology Investment as Industry Grows 
Bank of Japan Signals Cautious Path Toward Further Rate Hikes Amid Yen Weakness 
Jerome Powell Attends Supreme Court Hearing on Trump Effort to Fire Fed Governor, Calling It Historic 
MAS Holds Monetary Policy Steady as Strong Growth Raises Inflation Risks 
Oil Prices Steady as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength Caps Gains 
South Korea Inflation Hits Five-Month Low as CPI Reaches Central Bank Target 
Lots of economic data and events scheduled for today and some with high volatility risks associated.
Data released so far:
- Australia: Investment lending for homes rose by 4.9 percent, while home loans rose by 0.9 percent. New motor vehicle sales up 0.2 percent y/y in December.
- Japan: Industrial production rose by 1.5 percent in November, up 4.6 percent from a year ago.
Upcoming:
- France: November budget details will be out at 7:45 GMT.
- Italy: Trade balance data for November will be released at 9:00 GMT.
- United Kingdom: December inflation numbers will be published at 9:30 GMT. Prime Minister Theresa May is scheduled to speak on Brexit at 11:45 GMT.
- Germany: Zew survey report for January will be published at 10:00 GMT.
- Eurozone: Zew survey report will be released at 10:00 GMT.
- United States: New York empire state manufacturing index will be released at 13:30 GMT., followed by TIPP Economic optimism index at 15:00 GMT. Fed’s Dudley is scheduled to speak at 13:45 GMT and Lael Brainard is scheduled to speak at 15:00 GMT. Treasury Secretary Jack lew will be delivering a speech at 15:00 GMT.
- New Zealand: Global dairy auction is scheduled today.
- Australia: Westpac consumer confidence report will be published at 23:30 GMT.
- Auction: US will auction 3-month, 1-month and 6-month bills at 16:30 GMT.
