Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
ECB Signals Steady Rates Ahead as Policymakers Warn of Inflation Risks 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Asian Markets Rebound as Tech Rally Lifts Wall Street, Investors Brace for BOJ Rate Hike 
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.
