Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
Asian Markets End Year on AI Optimism as Precious Metals and Currencies Shine 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
Singapore GDP Growth Surges in 2025 but Outlook Remains Cautious Amid Global Trade Risks 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
Citi Forecasts a Volatile but Ongoing Bull Market for S&P 500 in 2026 
Samsung Electronics Delays ASML Equipment Deliveries
Samsung Electronics has delayed the delivery of chipmaking equipment from ASML for its upcoming $17 billion factory in Taylor, Texas. According to sources, the company has yet to secure major customers for this ambitious project, leading to a temporary halt in orders from various suppliers.
This delay represents a significant setback for Samsung's strategy to diversify from its core memory chip business into the lucrative contract chip manufacturing market, dominated by Taiwan's TSMC. As TSMC and SK Hynix ramp up production to meet the rising demand for advanced chips driven by artificial intelligence (AI), Samsung finds itself at a critical juncture.
ASML, the leading supplier of chipmaking equipment, has also revised its 2025 sales forecast downward due to decreased demand in markets outside of AI. The delayed shipments to Samsung's factory involve ASML's cutting-edge extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines, which are essential for producing high-performance chips used in smartphones and AI servers.
While Samsung has not disclosed how many EUV machines it has ordered, the advanced equipment typically costs around $200 million each. Both ASML and Samsung declined to comment on the situation.
