Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Global Forex Markets Brace for Fed Decision as Yen Extends Weakness 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
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Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Gold prices soared to an all-time high in Asian trading on Monday, driven by a weaker U.S. dollar and renewed geopolitical tensions. Spot gold surged 1.4% to $3,374.93 per ounce, hitting a record $3,385.27 earlier, while June gold futures jumped 1.8% to $3,388.20.
The rally follows President Donald Trump’s plan to restructure the Federal Reserve, which rattled markets and pushed the dollar to a three-year low. White House advisor Kevin Hassett revealed that Trump is exploring the legal grounds to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell, raising fears about the Fed’s independence and adding uncertainty to U.S. monetary policy.
A weaker dollar typically boosts gold prices by making the metal more attractive to foreign investors. Gold has also been supported by central bank buying, inflation concerns, and its role as a safe haven amid escalating global risks.
Geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine added further momentum to bullion’s rise. Although Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a one-day Easter ceasefire on Saturday, Russia resumed missile and drone attacks on Ukraine early Monday. Both sides have accused each other of violating the short-lived truce, with no signs of an extension.
Silver futures rose 1% to $32.773 per ounce, while platinum futures held steady at $978.0.
Copper prices saw modest gains, supported by the dollar’s decline. However, concerns over potential U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports capped upside. London Metal Exchange copper futures edged up 0.3% to $9,231.0 a ton, while May copper futures gained 0.8% to $4.4733 per pound.
The combination of Fed uncertainty, global conflict, and inflation continues to drive strong demand for precious metals, positioning gold as a key safe-haven asset in 2025.
