Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Gold prices soared to an all-time high in Asian trading on Monday, driven by a weaker U.S. dollar and renewed geopolitical tensions. Spot gold surged 1.4% to $3,374.93 per ounce, hitting a record $3,385.27 earlier, while June gold futures jumped 1.8% to $3,388.20.
The rally follows President Donald Trump’s plan to restructure the Federal Reserve, which rattled markets and pushed the dollar to a three-year low. White House advisor Kevin Hassett revealed that Trump is exploring the legal grounds to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell, raising fears about the Fed’s independence and adding uncertainty to U.S. monetary policy.
A weaker dollar typically boosts gold prices by making the metal more attractive to foreign investors. Gold has also been supported by central bank buying, inflation concerns, and its role as a safe haven amid escalating global risks.
Geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine added further momentum to bullion’s rise. Although Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a one-day Easter ceasefire on Saturday, Russia resumed missile and drone attacks on Ukraine early Monday. Both sides have accused each other of violating the short-lived truce, with no signs of an extension.
Silver futures rose 1% to $32.773 per ounce, while platinum futures held steady at $978.0.
Copper prices saw modest gains, supported by the dollar’s decline. However, concerns over potential U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports capped upside. London Metal Exchange copper futures edged up 0.3% to $9,231.0 a ton, while May copper futures gained 0.8% to $4.4733 per pound.
The combination of Fed uncertainty, global conflict, and inflation continues to drive strong demand for precious metals, positioning gold as a key safe-haven asset in 2025.
