Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Gold prices climbed in Asian trade on Friday, nearing record highs as investors sought safe-haven assets amid economic uncertainty. The metal is poised for strong weekly gains, driven by renewed U.S.-China trade tensions and a weaker dollar. Escalating geopolitical risks in the Middle East also bolstered gold’s appeal.
Spot gold rose 0.2% to $2,862.67 an ounce, while futures increased 0.3% to $2,884.81. The metal has gained 2.4% this week. Analysts at Citi and UBS raised their gold price forecasts for 2025, predicting a continued bull market. Citi expects gold to hit $3,000 in the short term, while UBS sees it reaching that level by year-end.
Gold remains strong ahead of the highly anticipated U.S. nonfarm payrolls report, which could impact Federal Reserve policy. A robust labor market could delay interest rate cuts, potentially weighing on gold’s long-term outlook. The Fed has signaled caution on rate adjustments due to persistent inflation and economic uncertainty.
Other precious metals also saw gains this week. Silver futures edged up to $32.678 an ounce, while platinum futures held steady at $1,021.65.
Copper prices advanced as traders bet on Chinese stimulus measures to counteract trade war effects. London Metal Exchange copper futures climbed 1.1% to $9,389.85 a ton, while March copper futures rose 0.6% to $4.4875 a pound. Beijing is expected to introduce economic support to mitigate the impact of U.S. tariffs, following Trump’s recent 10% duty on Chinese imports. Analysts at JPMorgan anticipate further tariff hikes, potentially escalating tensions.
Investors remain focused on key economic data and policy decisions that could shape market trends in the coming months.
