Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Gold prices slipped slightly in Asian trading on Thursday, easing after a powerful rally earlier in the week as investors grew increasingly confident that the U.S. Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in December. Expectations of a more dovish policy path strengthened further amid speculation that a Fed Chair closely aligned with President Donald Trump could replace Jerome Powell when his term ends in 2026. Weak U.S. economic data also added pressure on the dollar, providing broader support to precious metals.
Spot gold dipped 0.3% to $4,152.35 per ounce in early trading, while gold futures declined 0.4% to $4,184.15 per ounce. Despite the slight pullback, gold remains up more than 2% this week as traders increasingly price in a 25-basis-point rate cut next month. According to CME FedWatch, markets now see a nearly 80% chance of a December cut—an enormous jump from roughly 24% just a week ago.
The shift in sentiment followed comments from two Fed policymakers signaling support for easing monetary policy, alongside disappointing U.S. economic indicators that reinforced concerns over slowing growth. Investors also reacted to geopolitical developments, including limited progress in ceasefire efforts between Russia and Ukraine and growing tensions between Japan and China—both of which boosted safe-haven demand for gold.
Other metals moved lower alongside gold. Spot silver fell 0.7% to $52.9525 per ounce after briefly approaching all-time highs, while platinum outperformed with a 1.7% jump to $1,616.76 per ounce, though the catalyst for its surge was unclear. Lower interest rates generally benefit non-yielding assets such as gold, as investors tend to shift away from government bonds in a declining-rate environment.
Attention is also turning to the potential successor to Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Reports suggest that White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett is the leading candidate. Seen as a close ally of President Trump, Hassett is expected to advocate more aggressively for lower interest rates—a stance that could shape long-term monetary policy if he is appointed.
Several Fed officials have recently emphasized that supporting the labor market may outweigh inflation concerns in the near term, adding further momentum to expectations for rate cuts as price pressures are projected to cool in the coming months.
