Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
S&P 500 Rises as AI Stocks and Small Caps Rally on Strong Earnings Outlook 
Japan Services Sector Records Fastest Growth in Nearly a Year as Private Activity Accelerates 
Trump Extends AGOA Trade Program for Africa Through 2026, Supporting Jobs and U.S.-Africa Trade 
New York Fed President John Williams Signals Rate Hold as Economy Seen Strong in 2026 
BOJ Holds Interest Rates Steady, Upgrades Growth and Inflation Outlook for Japan 
Indian Rupee Strengthens Sharply After U.S.-India Trade Deal Announcement 
China and Uruguay Strengthen Strategic Partnership Amid Shifting Global Order 
Bank of England Expected to Hold Interest Rates at 3.75% as Inflation Remains Elevated 
Trump Administration Sued Over Suspension of Critical Hudson River Tunnel Funding 
Markets React as Tensions Rise Between White House and Federal Reserve Over Interest Rate Pressure 
Lots of economic data and events scheduled for today and some with high volatility risks associated.
Data released so far:
- Australia: Trade balance for November came at A$1.243 billion.
- Japan: Labor cash earnings rose by 0.2 percent y/y in November.
Upcoming:
- Germany: Factory orders for November will be released at 7:00 GMT, along with retail sales.
- Switzerland: December forex reserve data will be published at 8:00 GMT.
- Eurozone: Confidence data for December will be released at 10:00 GMT, along with retail sales report.
- United States: Trade balance for November will be published at 13:30 GMT, along with NFP report for December, followed by November factory orders and durable goods orders at 15:00 GMT. Fed’s Evans is scheduled to speak on economy and policy at 17:15 GMT. Fed’s Lacker is scheduled to speak at Maryland Bankers’ association at 18:00 GMT.
- Canada: Payroll report for December will be released at 13:30 GMT.
