Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Gold prices edged lower in Asian trading on Tuesday, but continued to hover near record highs as demand for safe-haven assets remained strong amid escalating U.S.-China trade tensions. Spot gold dipped 0.4% to $3,224.60 an ounce, while June gold futures held steady at $3,240.85/oz.
Although risk sentiment improved briefly following the U.S. decision to exempt electronics from new tariffs, President Donald Trump’s ongoing tariff threats—especially the looming duties on electronics and pharmaceuticals—kept market volatility high. The broader 145% tariffs imposed by the U.S., alongside China’s 125% retaliatory measures, sustained fears of a deepening trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
Gold remained close to its all-time high of $3,245.69/oz reached earlier in April. Persistent recession concerns and economic uncertainty continued to support bullion prices, especially as investors priced in a higher probability of a U.S. downturn despite a temporary 90-day exemption on reciprocal tariffs.
Weakness in the U.S. dollar, triggered by a selloff in Treasury markets, further boosted demand for gold and other precious metals. On Tuesday, silver futures rose 0.2% to $32.225/oz, while platinum futures stabilized at $956.60/oz.
Meanwhile, copper prices declined, reflecting ongoing concerns about reduced demand from China, the world’s largest importer. London copper futures dropped 0.2% to $9,168.65 per ton, while U.S. copper futures slipped 0.8% to $4.6230 per pound. Data released Monday showed a 1.4% decline in China’s copper imports in March. Market participants are now closely watching China’s upcoming Q1 GDP release, expected Thursday, for further economic signals.
