Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Gold prices edged lower in Asian trade on Wednesday as investors took profits and awaited more clarity on U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed trade tariffs. Despite the dip, spot gold remained strong, holding above the $3,000 per ounce mark and staying near record highs reached earlier in March.
Spot gold slipped 0.1% to $3,015.73/oz, while May gold futures dropped 0.2% to $3,048.25/oz. The precious metal continues to benefit from strong safe-haven demand, even as markets face ongoing uncertainty.
Trump stirred markets with comments in a Newsmax interview on Tuesday, hinting at limited exemptions for upcoming tariffs. He is expected to unveil reciprocal tariffs targeting at least 15 major U.S. trading partners on April 2, a date he called “liberation day.” However, mixed signals—especially regarding Canada and Mexico—have left traders unsure about the full impact.
Broader metal markets also weakened ahead of several critical U.S. economic reports. Durable goods data is due Wednesday, followed by revised Q4 GDP figures and the PCE price index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, on Friday. Several Fed officials are also scheduled to speak this week, which could influence rate expectations.
Industrial metals saw sharper losses. Copper futures fell 1.5% to $9,962.12 a ton on the London Metal Exchange after earlier touching a nine-month high of $10,168.70. U.S. May copper futures held at $5.2440 a pound. The rally was fueled by speculation that Trump may impose a 25% tariff on copper soon, with smelter shutdowns in China further tightening global supply.
Elsewhere, platinum futures slipped 0.5% to $970.00/oz, and silver futures fell 0.2% to $34.123/oz.
