Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
South Korea Posts Stronger-Than-Expected 1.3% Economic Growth in Q3 
Oil Prices Rise as Geopolitical Tensions and Supply Risks Intensify 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
RBA Signals Possible Rate Implications as Inflation Proves More Persistent 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
U.S. May Withhold $30.4 Million From Minnesota Over Improper Commercial Driver Licenses 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Tech Stocks Lift S&P 500 as Fed Rate-Cut Expectations Rise 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Oil Prices Slip as Russia-Ukraine Peace Hopes Fade and Oversupply Fears Grow 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Japan’s Service Sector Sustains Growth Momentum in November 
The U.S. dollar slipped on Thursday as thin holiday trading and growing expectations of U.S. rate cuts in the coming year weighed on the currency. Investors are increasingly pricing in a series of Federal Reserve rate reductions through 2026, prompting traders to reposition across major forex pairs.
The yen strengthened about 0.4% to 155.87 per dollar, while the euro edged above $1.16 in early trading. Meanwhile, the New Zealand dollar surged to a three-week high of $0.5714 after the Reserve Bank of New Zealand delivered a surprise message despite cutting rates. The central bank signaled that a rate hold had been on the table and suggested the easing cycle may be over, leading markets to price in a potential rate hike by December next year. Strong domestic data — including rising Q3 retail sales and the highest business confidence reading in a year — reinforced bullish sentiment, with analysts noting that “Kiwi green shoots” are multiplying.
The Australian dollar also gained momentum following hotter-than-expected inflation figures, which strengthened expectations that Australia’s rate-cut cycle has likely ended. With Australia’s 10-year yield at 4.48%, the highest among G10 nations, analysts say the Aussie dollar still appears undervalued. At $0.6526, it sits near the midpoint of an 18-month trading channel, though recent moves show the currency tracking China’s yuan more closely than domestic rates. The yuan held steady after China’s central bank maintained firm guidance via its daily fixing.
Sterling climbed to $1.3256, reaching its strongest level since late October, and is heading for its biggest weekly gain since August after the U.K. budget tempered concerns over national finances.
The U.S. dollar index hovered at 99.433, extending a retreat from a six-month high. Analysts, including Spectra Markets’ Brent Donnelly, note that sentiment for the dollar may remain pressured heading into 2026, especially if policymakers favor rate-cutting strategies.
