South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Gold prices surged in Asian trading on Friday, nearing record highs, driven by a weaker U.S. dollar and demand for safe-haven assets amid global uncertainties. Spot gold rose 0.7% to $2,773.91 per ounce, just shy of its record $2,790.41, while February gold futures gained 0.6% to $2,781.39. The yellow metal was set for a 3% weekly gain as U.S. President Donald Trump called for immediate interest rate cuts, pressuring the dollar further.
Trump's address at the World Economic Forum in Davos included calls for lower oil prices and global rate cuts, boosting gold's appeal. Lower interest rates typically benefit gold by reducing the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets. The U.S. Dollar Index dropped 0.4% during Friday's Asian session, heading for its worst week in two months, making gold more attractive to foreign buyers.
The market remains on edge as ongoing trade tariff uncertainties and policy-related volatility spur increased demand for safe-haven investments. Other precious metals also benefited, with platinum futures surging 1.6% to $982.85 an ounce and silver futures rising 1.6% to $31.348 an ounce.
Copper prices rebounded on Friday, lifted by the dollar's decline after a week of lackluster performance. London Metal Exchange benchmark copper futures climbed 0.8% to $9,318.50 a ton, while February copper futures jumped 1.3% to $4.3845 a pound.
The weakening dollar, combined with geopolitical and economic uncertainties, continues to drive investor interest in precious metals and commodities, underscoring their role as safe-haven assets in volatile markets.
