Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Precious Metals Rally as Silver and Platinum Outperform on Rate Cut Bets 
New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip After CPI-Fueled Rally as Markets Weigh Economic Uncertainty 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
EU Delays Mercosur Free Trade Agreement Signing Amid Ukraine War Funding Talks 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Asian Markets Rebound as Tech Rally Lifts Wall Street, Investors Brace for BOJ Rate Hike 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
Gold prices slipped in Asian trading on Monday, retreating from last week’s gains, as the U.S. dollar strengthened. Spot gold fell 0.7% to $2,752.09 per ounce, while February Gold Futures declined 0.8% to $2,783.22. Last week, gold surged nearly 3% following U.S. tariff tensions and President Donald Trump’s demand for a rate cut.
The dollar’s rise came after Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Colombian imports, following a diplomatic standoff with Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro over deportation policies. Although Trump paused the tariffs after Petro’s compromise, the uncertainty boosted the U.S. Dollar Index by 0.3%. A stronger dollar typically pressures gold prices as it raises the cost for international buyers.
Investors remain cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting this week. The Fed is expected to keep interest rates steady, with markets anticipating the first rate cut by mid-2025. Higher rates generally weigh on gold, making interest-bearing assets more appealing.
Other precious metals also declined due to the stronger dollar. Platinum Futures dropped 1.1% to $961.20 per ounce, while Silver Futures slid 1.7% to $30.655. Copper, which hit a two-month high last Friday amid optimism over U.S.-China trade, also fell. London Metal Exchange Copper Futures dropped 0.5% to $9,230.50 a ton, while February Copper Futures slipped 1.1% to $4.275 per pound.
Market sentiment remains focused on the Fed’s decision and ongoing geopolitical tensions, keeping gold and other metals under pressure.
