South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
U.S. Stocks Slip as Gold Rebounds Ahead of Year-End, Markets Eye 2026 Outlook 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech and Financial Stocks Weigh on Markets Amid Thin Holiday Trading 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Slide in 2025 as Oversupply and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
Gold prices soared in Asian trading on Monday, climbing back above the key $4,000 an ounce mark as the U.S. dollar weakened and investor attention turned to Congress’ progress toward ending the prolonged government shutdown. The precious metal also gained support from market optimism that the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates in December, despite ongoing uncertainty over the broader U.S. economic outlook.
Spot gold surged 1.4% to $4,053.72 per ounce, while December gold futures rose 1.3% to $4,062.45 by 23:43 ET (04:43 GMT). The rally reflected renewed investor demand for safe-haven assets amid political tensions and softening economic indicators.
The dollar’s mild decline provided further momentum to metal prices. A softer greenback typically boosts gold and other commodities by making them cheaper for foreign investors. Market sentiment was reinforced by expectations of a potential 25-basis-point rate cut from the Fed in December, supported by recent weak labor market data. According to CME FedWatch, traders priced in a 61.9% probability of such a move.
Recent Challenger job cuts data revealed the worst wave of layoffs in nearly two decades during October, intensifying fears of an economic slowdown. Analysts believe the Fed could step in to stabilize the job market and sustain growth.
Other precious metals also advanced on Monday. Spot platinum climbed 1.4% to $1,571.92 per ounce, while spot silver jumped 1.8% to $49.21 per ounce.
Meanwhile, investor sentiment brightened as the U.S. Senate voted 60-40 to advance a funding bill aimed at ending the nation’s longest government shutdown. The bill’s progress broke a Democratic filibuster and could soon reopen federal operations, paving the way for delayed economic data releases that may further influence Fed policy decisions.
