Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Gold and silver prices edged lower in Asian trading on Tuesday as investors booked profits after a strong rally, while global markets turned cautious ahead of critical U.S. economic data. The pullback comes after precious metals surged sharply over the past week, supported by a recent U.S. interest rate cut, dovish signals from the Federal Reserve, and growing macroeconomic uncertainty.
Spot gold slipped 0.4% to around $4,289 per ounce, while February gold futures fell 0.5% to near $4,315 per ounce. Despite the decline, gold prices remain near record highs, reflecting sustained demand for safe-haven assets amid concerns over global growth, U.S. fiscal health, and liquidity conditions. Spot silver saw a steeper drop, sliding nearly 2% to about $62.86 per ounce, as the metal appeared more vulnerable to profit-taking after posting multiple record highs last week. Silver futures also declined, though losses were relatively contained.
Other metals showed mixed performance. Platinum stood out as a notable gainer, rising more than 1% to an over 14-year high above $1,810 per ounce, driven by supply constraints and strong industrial demand. Meanwhile, copper prices weakened, with benchmark London Metal Exchange futures falling close to 1% to around $11,581 per metric ton, pressured by concerns over slowing Chinese economic growth.
Investor focus is now firmly on upcoming U.S. economic indicators, starting with nonfarm payrolls data, which is expected to signal further cooling in the labor market. This will be followed by U.S. consumer price index inflation data later in the week, a key input for Federal Reserve policy decisions. Labor market strength and inflation trends remain central to the Fed’s data-driven approach, and softer readings could reinforce expectations of lower interest rates.
Lower U.S. rates typically support non-yielding assets like gold and silver, helping explain their strong gains so far this year. Looking ahead, analysts at ANZ project that gold prices could surpass $5,000 per ounce in 2026, citing rising geopolitical risks, fiscal concerns in developed economies, and declining confidence in U.S. assets. While the pace of gains may slow after 2025’s rally, the broader outlook for precious metals remains bullish.
