U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
BOJ Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Japan Signals Shift Toward Monetary Normalization 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip After CPI-Fueled Rally as Markets Weigh Economic Uncertainty 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Asian Markets Rebound as Tech Rally Lifts Wall Street, Investors Brace for BOJ Rate Hike 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Gold prices surged in Asian trading Thursday, bouncing back from earlier losses as uncertainty over the U.S.-China trade war and renewed Russia-Ukraine tensions boosted demand for safe haven assets.
Spot gold rose 1.3% to $3,331.34 an ounce, while June futures gained 1.4% to $3,341.25/oz by 01:37 ET. Despite dipping earlier this week after President Donald Trump hinted at reducing tariffs on China, gold remains near its record high of $3,500/oz. JP Morgan predicts prices could reach $4,000/oz by 2026, supported by persistent economic and geopolitical risks.
Trump’s remarks on possibly cutting steep 145% tariffs on Chinese imports sparked brief optimism, but lack of clarity and skeptical follow-up statements from U.S. officials tempered the market’s reaction. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent cautioned that any trade deal with Beijing would be slow-moving, and likely require the U.S. to initiate tariff cuts first. China, meanwhile, has responded with 125% tariffs and shown no sign of backing down.
Amid this uncertainty, investors reduced exposure to the dollar and Treasuries, pivoting toward gold and the Japanese yen as primary safe haven assets. The dollar’s recent weakness has also lent support to precious metals broadly.
Geopolitical risks further intensified after Russia launched a drone and missile assault on Kyiv, even as U.S.-mediated ceasefire talks with Ukraine faltered. Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy over Crimea, and several top U.S. officials exited ceasefire negotiations in London, deepening investor anxiety.
Elsewhere, platinum futures edged up 0.1% to $979.75/oz, while silver slipped 0.4% to $33.39/oz. In base metals, London copper dipped 0.1% to $9,371.35 per ton, and U.S. copper held steady at $4.8348 per pound.
