Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Gold prices slipped more than 1% in Asian trading on Wednesday after the U.S. announced measures to soften the impact of auto tariffs and affirmed ongoing trade talks with China. Spot gold dropped 1.1% to $3,308.93 per ounce, while June gold futures fell 0.8% to $3,322.55 per ounce.
The Trump administration said it would ease tariffs on foreign auto parts used in domestically manufactured cars, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Additionally, U.S. Secretary Bessent noted that many countries had made "very good" tariff proposals and confirmed ongoing communication with China, helping ease concerns about escalating U.S.-China trade tensions.
Gold, which recently hit record highs, typically benefits from economic uncertainty, geopolitical risks, and inflation concerns. However, improved trade sentiment weighed on demand for safe-haven assets.
Among other metals, silver futures fell 0.4% to $32.862 per ounce, while platinum futures remained flat at $993.20 per ounce.
Investors are now closely watching key U.S. economic data releases this week, including the March JOLTS job openings report, first-quarter GDP figures, April jobs data, and the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, the PCE price index. These indicators are expected to heavily influence the Fed’s interest rate policy outlook.
Copper prices stayed subdued amid cautious sentiment. London Metal Exchange benchmark copper was steady at $9,392.20 per ton, while May copper futures slipped 0.8% to $4.8620 per pound. Meanwhile, Chinese policymakers promised support for businesses impacted by tariffs but held back from introducing new stimulus measures, leaving market participants awaiting further policy clarity.
