China Industrial Profits Slump Signals Need for More Economic Stimulus 
European Markets Mixed as Pound Weakens and Major Corporate Deals Emerge 
China LNG Imports Rise in December as Long-Term Contracts Drive Growth 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
China’s Central Bank to Launch New Digital Yuan Management Framework from January 1 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Volatility 
Hong Kong Home Prices Rise for Sixth Straight Month as Rate Cuts Lift Market Sentiment 
Wall Street Ends Post-Christmas Session Flat as Investors Eye Santa Claus Rally 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady Ahead of Holiday-Shortened Trading Week 
Gold Prices Ease After Record Highs as Dollar Firms, Broader Bullish Outlook Intact 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
Vietnam Central Bank Faces Challenges Meeting 2026 Economic Growth Target Amid Global Uncertainty 
Asian Stock Markets Trade Narrowly as Year-End Volumes Thin, KOSPI Outperforms on Tech Rally 
Oil Prices Rise as Middle East Tensions and Ukraine Uncertainty Fuel Supply Concerns 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
Gold prices rose in European trading on Tuesday, rebounding after a sharp pullback from near record highs in the previous session, as year-end profit-taking eased and renewed geopolitical tensions boosted safe-haven demand. Spot gold climbed 0.9% to around $4,369 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures for February delivery gained about 1% to trade near $4,385 per ounce.
The precious metal had surged to an all-time high above $4,549 per ounce late last week before retreating on Monday, as traders locked in profits amid thin year-end liquidity. Despite the short-term correction, gold remains one of the strongest-performing assets this year, supported by a weaker U.S. dollar, elevated inflation concerns, and persistent global uncertainty.
Geopolitical risks continued to underpin gold prices. Comments from Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding a potential shift in Russia’s negotiating stance on Ukraine added to uncertainty around the conflict, sustaining demand for safe-haven assets. Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East also weighed on market sentiment after U.S. President Donald Trump warned that the United States could launch new strikes against Iran if it attempts to rebuild its nuclear program. In Asia, risk appetite was further tested as China conducted large-scale live-fire military exercises around Taiwan.
Expectations of future monetary easing by the Federal Reserve have also been supportive for bullion. Markets are increasingly pricing in additional interest rate cuts in 2026, which would lower the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold. Investors are now closely watching the release of the latest Federal Reserve meeting minutes, which may provide further clues on the outlook for inflation, economic growth, and interest rates.
Other precious metals also rebounded after steep losses. Silver prices jumped more than 3% to around $74.50 per ounce after falling sharply from record highs, while platinum rose nearly 3% following a heavy sell-off. U.S. copper futures also advanced, reflecting a broader recovery across the metals market as investors reassessed recent declines.
Overall, while short-term volatility persists, the underlying fundamentals for gold and precious metals remain supportive amid ongoing geopolitical risks and an accommodative long-term monetary outlook.
