Gold and Silver Prices Plunge as Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
Best Gold Stocks to Buy Now: AABB, GOLD, GDX 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
Oil Prices Surge Toward Biggest Monthly Gains in Years Amid Middle East Tensions 
Why Trump’s new pick for Fed chair hit gold and silver markets – for good reasons 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
According to the latest report from DBS Group Research, Hong Kong’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth has been downgraded to zero percent from 2.5 percent for 2019, and to 0.5 percent from 2 percent in 2020.
While growth was benign at 0.6 percent y/y in 2Q19, it contracted 0.3 percent q/q. Another quarter of negative sequential growth in 3Q19 would tip Hong Kong into a technical recession. Second quarter growth was hurt by lingering trade tensions between China and the US, Hong Kong’s top two export destinations.
Merchandise exports growth have contracted eight straight months since November 2018; the -9 percent y/y print in June was the biggest drop since February 2016. By country, outward shipment to the US and China fell 6.6 percent and 5.3 percent respectively.
Meanwhile, exports to advanced economies were also sluggish; EU and Japan fell by 7.4 percent and 6.5 percent correspondingly. Likewise, outward cargoes to emerging market such as ASEAN were also flat from a year ago.
