Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
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 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
U.S. Stocks Slip as Gold Rebounds Ahead of Year-End, Markets Eye 2026 Outlook 
Citi Forecasts a Volatile but Ongoing Bull Market for S&P 500 in 2026 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech and Financial Stocks Weigh on Markets Amid Thin Holiday Trading 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
Gold prices declined during Asian trading on Thursday, pulling back from three consecutive record-high sessions as easing geopolitical tensions and reassurance over U.S. monetary policy reduced safe-haven demand. Spot gold fell 0.8% to $4,588.55 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures edged down 0.3% to $4,594.10 by early Asian hours. The pullback came after gold reached an all-time high of $4,642.72 per ounce in the previous session, driven by heightened global uncertainty.
The broader precious metals market saw steeper losses, with silver prices plunging nearly 6% to $87.74 per ounce and platinum falling 4% to $2,309.52. The sharp declines reflected profit-taking after a strong rally that pushed prices well above key technical levels, prompting traders to lock in gains.
Gold’s recent surge had been fueled by fears that escalating unrest in Iran could lead to U.S. military involvement and destabilize the Middle East, alongside concerns about political pressure on the U.S. Federal Reserve. However, sentiment shifted after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a softer stance on Iran, stating that he had been assured Iranian authorities would curb violence against protesters and that there were no plans for large-scale executions. These comments reduced expectations of an immediate U.S. response, easing geopolitical risk premiums that had supported gold prices.
Additional pressure came after Trump sought to calm markets regarding the Federal Reserve. In comments to Reuters, he said he had no intention of firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell, despite ongoing scrutiny, helping ease investor concerns about the central bank’s independence and future policy direction.
Despite the decline, gold remains supported by expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts later this year, ongoing geopolitical risks, and strong central bank demand. Lower interest rates typically boost gold prices by reducing the opportunity cost of holding the non-yielding asset, suggesting that bullion could remain resilient even after the latest pullback.
