Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
The U.S. dollar rose slightly on Wednesday as markets remained uncertain about President Donald Trump's tariff plans. Trump hinted at a 10% tariff on Chinese imports starting Feb. 1, alongside potential 25% levies on goods from Mexico and Canada, as well as duties on European imports, but specifics remain unclear.
Following his inauguration, the dollar slid 1.2% against a basket of major currencies but stabilized Tuesday after U.S. officials suggested tariffs would be implemented cautiously. The dollar index held steady at 108.14, with the dollar gaining 0.23% to 155.87 yen. Meanwhile, the euro dipped 0.17% to $1.0410, and sterling fell 0.13% to $1.2343.
Analyst Tony Sycamore noted Trump's measured approach might mitigate inflation risks and potential Federal Reserve rate hikes. Markets currently anticipate a quarter-point Fed rate cut by July, with another reduction by year-end seen as a possibility.
The Canadian dollar slipped 0.1% to C$1.4337, affected by a recent inflation slowdown. The Mexican peso weakened 0.15% to 20.6430 per dollar, while China’s yuan eased 0.24% to 7.2865 in offshore trading after reaching a one-month high on Tuesday.
RBC Capital Markets' Alvin Tan remarked that a 10% tariff on Chinese imports is far below Trump’s campaign rhetoric, suggesting a strategy geared toward negotiations rather than aggressive protectionism, which could weigh on the dollar.
The New Zealand dollar dropped 0.42% to $0.5655 as fourth-quarter inflation stayed within the Reserve Bank’s target range. Markets expect a potential rate cut in February. The Australian dollar fell 0.24% to $0.6258, with rate normalization and easing inflation undermining both currencies.
Analysts believe cautious trade policies and inflation dynamics could influence further dollar movements.
