Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
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.
