Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
U.S. Open to Special Trade Terms for South Africa Under Possible AGOA Extension 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Stocks Slip as Investors Brace for Fed Decision and JPMorgan Warning Weighs on Markets 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Silver Prices Surge to New Record Above $60 as Supply Concerns and Fed Expectations Boost Demand 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
U.S. stocks posted modest moves on Monday as investors digested trade updates and awaited key earnings reports. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 114 points, or 0.28%, while the S&P 500 inched up 3 points, or 0.06%. The Nasdaq Composite dipped 17 points, or 0.1%.
Markets found support from renewed optimism over trade deals. Vital Knowledge analyst Adam Crisafulli noted that "hope and hype" around trade negotiations might prevent a sharp drop in the S&P 500 but warned against chasing gains above the 5500 level.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent fueled optimism in a CNBC interview, saying several countries had offered “very good” tariff proposals. Bessent highlighted progress with Asian partners, South Korea, India, and Japan, and said all branches of the U.S. government remained in contact with China, urging de-escalation.
Signs that the Trump administration seeks to ease trade tensions helped sentiment, as concerns over the global economic impact from tariffs continue to loom.
Investors are now turning their attention to earnings from major tech companies including Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META). Microsoft and Meta report Wednesday, while Apple and Amazon are set for Thursday.
These earnings are seen as critical indicators of corporate resilience amid trade uncertainty and rising capital expenditures on artificial intelligence.
Reports from other heavyweights like Visa (NYSE:V), Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO), and Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) are also expected this week, adding to a crucial test for markets navigating both trade developments and economic headwinds.
