Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Best Gold Stocks to Buy Now: AABB, GOLD, GDX 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Italy's statistics office ISTAT released businesses and consumer confidence data for the month of December earlier on Wednesday. Data showed that confidence among Italian businesses and consumers moved in different directions in December, providing little clarity on the prospects for the country’s fragile economic growth.
ISTAT survey showed Italy confidence climate index grew in December to 111.1 from 108.1 in the previous month. Details of the report showed improvement in all components of the index. The composite business confidence climate index (IESI, Istat Economic Sentiment Indicator) however decreased from 101.4 to 100.3 in contardiction to the consumer confidence.
The balance concerning expectations on unemployment lowered from 28 to 20. The balance on inflation perceptions referring to the last 12 months and on inflation expectations for next 12 months decreased from -34 to -36 and from -28 to -34 respectively.
The confidence index in manufacturing increased from 102.2 to 103.5. The confidence index in construction decreased from 124.2 to 120.4. The market services confidence index decreased from 105.0 to 102.5. The retail trade confidence index increased from 106.5 to 107.4.
