South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
Asian Markets End Year on AI Optimism as Precious Metals and Currencies Shine 
U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
Indian exports of silver jewelry more than doubled in fiscal 2020 to $1.7 billion million from the $832 million it posted last fiscal as those of lab-grown diamonds surged 88 percent to $413.39 million from $220.27 million in 2019.
By contrast, exports of cut and polished diamonds declined 22 percent to $18.7 billion due to global shutdowns, increasing tax incidence, lack of liquidity, and closure across the world.
Colin Shah, chairman of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), noted that Indian silver jewelry is gaining global demand due to its design.
GJEPC members are ramping up silver jewelry production to compete with China and Thailand.
India's silver jewelry is manufactured mainly in Jaipur and Surat.
Shah called silver jewelry and lab-grown diamonds as their "two sunshine sectors."
However, Shah emphasized that natural diamonds will not lose its sparkle for its "aspirational value."
Shah reported that there is a demand for laser-finished silver jewelry, especially from Europe. Meanwhile, the demand for lab-grown diamonds increases, as observed in the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) and Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
Pointing out that the India-China stand-off has not yet affected exports of diamonds, Shah said that GJEPC members are keeping their fingers crossed that tensions not escalate.
China and Hong Kong are India's major markets for cut and polished diamonds.
