Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
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Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
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Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Gold prices surged to unprecedented levels during Asian trading on Friday, edging closer to the closely watched $5,000 per ounce milestone as escalating geopolitical uncertainty and a weakening U.S. dollar fueled strong demand for safe-haven assets. The rally was not limited to gold, as silver and platinum also touched record highs, underscoring a broad-based surge across precious metal markets at the start of 2026.
Spot gold climbed as much as 0.7% to hit a fresh all-time high of $4,967.48 per ounce, while February gold futures advanced more than 1% to $4,969.69 per ounce. Silver saw an even sharper move, jumping nearly 3% to a record $99.03 per ounce, while platinum gained close to 1%, reaching a new peak of $2,692.31 per ounce. Although prices briefly eased after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a trade deal related to Greenland, investor confidence remained shaky due to the lack of clarity surrounding the agreement and ongoing questions over U.S. intentions regarding the Danish territory.
Precious metals have posted a stellar performance so far this year, driven by heightened global tensions and increased risk aversion among investors. A U.S. military incursion in Venezuela earlier this year, combined with renewed rhetoric over Greenland, has pushed traders toward physical assets perceived as stable stores of value. As a result, spot gold is up nearly 15% in 2026, while silver has surged almost 39% and platinum has gained around 21%.
Adding further support to metal prices is a softer U.S. dollar, as mixed economic data has reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates later this year. While the Fed is widely expected to keep rates unchanged at its upcoming meeting, growing political pressure on the central bank and concerns over worsening fiscal conditions in developed economies, particularly Japan, have rattled bond markets. Heavy sell-offs in U.S. and Japanese government bonds have prompted investors to pivot toward gold and other precious metals, strengthening their appeal as reliable safe-haven investments.
