Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
In December 2024, the core Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Tokyo Prefecture increased by 2.4% compared to a year earlier, rising from 2.2% in November. This change is important because it shows that prices continue to rise, especially due to a significant 13.5% increase in energy costs, up from a 7.4% rise in November.
Here are some key points to consider:
November 2024 Core CPI: 2.2%, higher than 1.8% in October.
December 2024 Core CPI: 2.4%, showing a continuing increase in inflation.
Energy Costs: These rose by 13.5%, playing a big role in driving up overall prices.
Processed Food Prices: These went up by 4.0%, staying about the same as the previous month.
Core-Core CPI (which excludes fresh food and energy): This went up by 1.8%, slightly lower than the 1.9% increase in November, indicating that the increase in other prices is slowing down a bit.
This information is important because the inflation trends in Tokyo can often predict what will happen with prices across Japan, as national figures come out about three weeks later. The Bank of Japan is paying close attention to these numbers because they could affect its decisions about interest rates in the future.
