Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
The euro edged closer to its strongest level in nearly four years on Thursday, buoyed by optimism over new trade agreements between the United States and key partners, including the European Union and Japan. The potential U.S.-EU deal may feature a 15% baseline tariff on EU goods with possible exemptions, according to European diplomats. This follows Washington’s agreement with Tokyo, which reduces auto tariffs and secures a $550 billion package of U.S.-bound investment and loans.
Global markets responded positively, with investors shifting away from the U.S. dollar and risk-sensitive currencies rallying. The Australian dollar climbed to an eight-month high of $0.6604, while the euro traded at $1.1768, near the $1.1830 peak hit earlier this month, marking its highest level in over three years. The U.S. dollar slipped 0.03% against the yen to 146.38, extending its decline for a fourth session despite Japan’s ongoing political uncertainty following Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s denial of resignation rumors after an election defeat.
Sterling held firm at $1.3582, while the New Zealand dollar hovered at $0.6046. The U.S. dollar index remained steady at 97.21.
Beyond trade negotiations, market focus has shifted to the European Central Bank’s upcoming rate decision. While no immediate policy change is expected, investors are watching closely for signals on future monetary easing, with another rate cut anticipated by December. The recent trade breakthroughs and potential ECB actions are shaping currency market dynamics, reinforcing risk appetite amid easing geopolitical tensions.
