U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
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 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
Gold prices surged in Asian trading on Friday as geopolitical tensions escalated following Israel’s preemptive airstrikes on Iran, targeting numerous military and nuclear facilities. The strikes triggered a wave of safe-haven buying, sending spot gold up 1.5% to $3,436.97 per ounce, while August Gold Futures climbed 1.6% to $3,459.60.
The attack, which struck “dozens” of Iranian sites, prompted air raid sirens in Israel and emergency alerts, while Tehran responded by activating air defenses amid reports of widespread explosions. U.S. officials confirmed that Israel acted independently, without American military involvement. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that Israel’s actions were in self-defense, distancing the U.S. from direct participation.
The geopolitical spike added to existing bullish momentum driven by economic uncertainty. Earlier in the week, gold benefited from lingering concerns over U.S.-China trade talks, which showed signs of progress but lacked clarity. Additionally, easing U.S. inflation data—highlighted by increased jobless claims and subdued producer price growth—has strengthened market expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. Lower interest rates tend to benefit gold, which yields no income but retains value in times of uncertainty.
The heightened risk of a broader regional conflict in the Middle East could keep demand for safe-haven assets like gold elevated in the near term.
In other metals, Silver Futures rose 1% to $36.625 an ounce, approaching a 13-year high. Platinum Futures dipped 0.8% but held near a four-year peak. Meanwhile, industrial metals retreated, with London Copper Futures falling 0.3% to $9,678.70 per ton and U.S. Copper Futures slipping 0.5% to $4.8195 per pound.
The ongoing geopolitical crisis and softening economic indicators continue to drive investor demand for precious metals.
