Oil Prices Hold Above $100 as Trump-Xi Meeting and Iran Conflict Keep Markets on Edge 
South Korea Central Bank Signals Cautious Policy Amid Inflation and Middle East Tensions 
Eurozone Recession Risks Rise as Middle East Conflict Threatens Growth, ECB Official Warns 
Gold Prices Steady Ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting as Inflation and Oil Concerns Persist 
Bank of Japan's Ueda Flags Low Real Interest Rates as Key Factor in Rate Hike Timing 
DOJ Ends Probe Into Fed Chair Jerome Powell, Boosting Kevin Warsh Confirmation Prospects 
Kevin Warsh Advances Toward Fed Chair Role Amid Political Tensions 
Havana Protests Erupt as Cuba Faces Severe Blackouts and Fuel Crisis 
BOJ Holds Interest Rates at 0.75% as Policymakers Signal Growing Inflation Concerns 
Lots of economic data and events scheduled for today and some with high volatility risks associated.
Data released so far:
- Australia: Trade balance for November came at A$1.243 billion.
- Japan: Labor cash earnings rose by 0.2 percent y/y in November.
Upcoming:
- Germany: Factory orders for November will be released at 7:00 GMT, along with retail sales.
- Switzerland: December forex reserve data will be published at 8:00 GMT.
- Eurozone: Confidence data for December will be released at 10:00 GMT, along with retail sales report.
- United States: Trade balance for November will be published at 13:30 GMT, along with NFP report for December, followed by November factory orders and durable goods orders at 15:00 GMT. Fed’s Evans is scheduled to speak on economy and policy at 17:15 GMT. Fed’s Lacker is scheduled to speak at Maryland Bankers’ association at 18:00 GMT.
- Canada: Payroll report for December will be released at 13:30 GMT.
