Gold Falls Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Weigh on Prices 
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
Gold Drops Below $4,000 as Strong US Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Bullion 
South Korea’s KOSPI Plunges as Apple Price Hikes and OpenAI IPO Delay Shake AI Chip Stocks 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
BOJ Hawk Signals Faster Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Risks 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
Oil Prices Drop as Strait of Hormuz Shipping Recovers 
Most Asian currencies edged lower on Monday as investors assessed mixed signals on the Federal Reserve’s next policy move. The US Dollar Index held steady after a strong performance last week, keeping pressure on regional currencies. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, expectations for a 25-basis-point Fed rate cut in December rose sharply to about 69%, up from 44% a week earlier. This shift came after New York Fed President John Williams hinted that policy adjustments could be possible in the near term. Still, several Fed officials emphasized that inflation and labor market strength remain concerns, leaving December’s outcome uncertain.
Analysts at ING noted that the minutes from the October FOMC meeting showed many officials leaning against a December rate cut, suggesting that without key upcoming economic data, opinions are unlikely to shift significantly.
Across Asia, the Chinese yuan (USD/CNH) inched 0.1% higher, while the Singapore dollar (USD/SGD) rose 0.2%. The South Korean won (USD/KRW) dropped 0.5%, marking the biggest decline among regional currencies. The Australian dollar (AUD/USD) remained largely stable.
The Japanese yen (USD/JPY) continued to face downward pressure after touching multi-month lows last week. Expectations that the Bank of Japan may maintain or even ease monetary policy—combined with expansionary fiscal measures under new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi—added to the yen’s weakness. Tokyo officials reiterated that currency intervention remains possible if volatility becomes excessive, offering limited support.
Meanwhile, the Indian rupee (USD/INR) strengthened 0.5% after sinking to a record low of 89.72 on Friday. Reports indicated that the Reserve Bank of India stepped in to stabilize the currency following a sharp sell-off triggered when the pair broke past the 88.80 level, which RBI had previously defended.
This latest currency movement reflects ongoing uncertainty in global monetary policy and shifting investor sentiment across Asian markets.
