Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
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 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Gold prices moved higher in Asian trading on Friday, supported by a weakening U.S. dollar and strong expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at its upcoming December 9–10 meeting. Spot gold rose 0.5% to $4,227.88 an ounce, while U.S. gold futures for February slipped 0.3% to $4,256.95. The softer dollar—hovering near a five-week low—boosted demand for bullion by making it more affordable for international buyers. Markets are currently pricing in an 88% chance of a 25-basis-point rate cut, with traders also anticipating further monetary easing early next year.
Recent U.S. economic data has strengthened the outlook for rate cuts. Weekly jobless claims dropped by 27,000 to 191,000, marking the lowest level since September 2022. Adding to concerns about cooling labor conditions, ADP’s private-sector payroll report showed a decline of 32,000 jobs, the steepest drop in more than two and a half years. These indicators have increased expectations that the Fed may adopt a more dovish stance.
Investors are now focused on the release of the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index—the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge. A softer-than-expected reading could reinforce the case for a rate cut this month and potentially open the door to additional easing in 2025. However, rising U.S. Treasury yields continue to limit gold’s upside, as higher yields raise the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold.
Other metals also benefited from the weaker dollar. Silver futures gained 2.2% to $58.77 per ounce, platinum added 0.8% to $1,673.60, and copper saw strong momentum, with LME benchmark copper rising 2.1% to $11,675.20 a ton. U.S. copper futures climbed more than 2% to $5.47 a pound, reflecting improving sentiment across industrial metals markets.
