Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Russian equities closed mixed on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index ending the session flat at 0.00%, reflecting a cautious mood among investors. Market movements were largely muted as gains in select tech and industrial stocks were offset by declines in construction and energy shares.
Leading the session were VK Company Ltd (MCX: VKCO), which climbed 1.03% to close at 265.80, supported by steady demand in the digital sector. AFK Sistema PJSC (MCX: AFKS) added 0.77% to 12.50, while TATNEFT n.a. V.D. Shashin Pref (MCX: TATN_p) rose 0.74% to 556.00, aided by moderate recovery in oil market sentiment.
However, losses in the construction and energy sectors weighed on the broader market. PIK SHb PJSC (MCX: PIKK) dropped 1.16% to 416.20, marking one of the session’s weakest performances. Surgutneftegas PJSC (MCX: SNGS) slipped 0.72% to 20.06, hitting a 52-week low, while OK Rusal MKPAO (MCX: RUAL) declined 0.53% to 29.99 amid subdued aluminum prices. Market breadth was evenly split, with 105 stocks declining, 105 advancing, and 16 unchanged on the Moscow Exchange.
In commodities, Gold Futures for December delivery rose 0.70% to $4,000.40 per troy ounce, signaling a flight to safety amid global uncertainty. Meanwhile, Crude Oil (November delivery) fell sharply by 4.24% to $58.90 per barrel, and Brent Oil (December contract) dropped 3.82% to $62.73.
Currency markets also reflected moderate volatility. The USD/RUB pair gained 0.55% to 81.63, and EUR/RUB advanced 1.04% to 94.85, while the U.S. Dollar Index Futures eased 0.55% to 98.73. The Russian Volatility Index (RVI) remained stable at 31.36, indicating steady investor sentiment despite global market fluctuations.
