Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
Asian Markets End Year on AI Optimism as Precious Metals and Currencies Shine 
Oil Prices Slide in 2025 as Oversupply and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Policy Clues in Holiday-Thinned Trade 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
Three-fourths of South Korea's large companies either don't have plans to hire or have not confirmed their recruiting scheme for the second half of the year, based on a survey by the Korea Economic Research Institute (KERI).
Half of the 120 companies that responded to the survey said they have not set hiring plans, while 24.2 percent said they will not offer jobs.
500 firms were asked.
In the first half of the year, 41.3 percent of the firms replied either that they would not open jobs or have not confirmed hiring plans.
Of the companies that have recruiting plans for the second half of 2020, only 22.6 percent plan to hire more people.
Nearly 70 percent blamed the pandemic for its inability to offer more jobs in the second half.
Over 19 percent have adopted a remote hiring system, while 35 percent are considering alternatives using such an online recruiting system.
