RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Gold prices slipped in Asian trading on Friday, heading for their second straight weekly decline as the Federal Reserve’s cautious stance on interest rate cuts and improving U.S.-China trade relations reduced demand for the precious metal.
Spot gold dropped 0.4% to $4,008.65 per ounce by 01:49 ET (05:49 GMT), while U.S. gold futures edged up 0.1% to $4,019.90. Despite Thursday’s sharp 2% rebound, the metal was still on track for a 2.6% weekly loss. The downturn follows the Fed’s recent 25-basis-point rate cut to a range of 3.75%-4.00%. However, Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks suggesting uncertainty over further rate cuts boosted the U.S. dollar and Treasury yields, diminishing gold’s appeal as a non-yielding asset.
Investor sentiment also improved after U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping signaled progress in trade talks. The two leaders met in South Korea, agreeing to reduce a 10% tariff on fentanyl-related imports while China resumed soybean purchases from the U.S. and halted new rare-earth export restrictions. This easing of trade tensions weakened gold’s safe-haven allure as markets shifted toward riskier assets on hopes of an impending deal.
Still, analysts believe gold could find medium-term support from central bank buying and ongoing global economic uncertainties. Despite short-term headwinds, the precious metal remains a key hedge amid fluctuating interest rate expectations and geopolitical risks.
In broader metals trading, silver futures fell 0.3% to $48.48 per ounce, while platinum gained 0.4% to $1,617.45. Copper prices slipped, with London Metal Exchange futures down 0.4% to $10,866.20 a ton. Weak Chinese manufacturing data—showing contraction for a seventh straight month—reinforced concerns about sluggish recovery, sparking speculation of potential economic stimulus from Beijing.
