South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
Oil Prices Slide in 2025 as Oversupply and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Policy Clues in Holiday-Thinned Trade 
Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
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 
The U.S. dollar weakened early Wednesday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s comments strengthened market expectations of an interest rate cut later this month. Powell signaled that the Fed remains open to easing policy at its October 28–29 meeting, citing a sluggish labor market and the ongoing government shutdown, which has limited official economic data but not hindered the Fed’s assessment of the outlook.
Following Powell’s remarks, the dollar index — which measures the greenback against six major currencies including the yen, euro, and Swiss franc — steadied at 99.055 after a 0.2% dip on Tuesday. The greenback held at 151.80 yen after slipping 0.3% in the prior session, while it traded flat at 0.8013 Swiss franc following a similar decline overnight. The euro also maintained its gains, holding at $1.1606 after advancing 0.3% the day before, supported by the French government’s proposal to pause contentious pension reforms.
Markets now anticipate a quarter-point rate cut this month and another in December, with several more reductions expected next year, according to LSEG data.
On the geopolitical front, the U.S. and China reignited trade tensions with reciprocal fees on shipping companies, escalating fears of further economic disruption. President Donald Trump hinted at potentially cutting certain trade ties with Beijing, raising investor anxiety and boosting safe-haven demand.
Joseph Capurso, head of foreign exchange at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, warned that U.S.-China tensions could intensify further, putting pressure on risk-sensitive currencies like the Australian dollar. The Aussie edged up 0.1% to $0.6491 after touching a three-week low on Tuesday, while the New Zealand dollar eased 0.1% to $0.5706, extending a six-month low.
