Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
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 Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
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 Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
Citi Forecasts a Volatile but Ongoing Bull Market for S&P 500 in 2026 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
Oil Prices Slide in 2025 as Oversupply and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Gold prices surged to unprecedented levels during Asian trading on Friday, edging closer to the closely watched $5,000 per ounce milestone as escalating geopolitical uncertainty and a weakening U.S. dollar fueled strong demand for safe-haven assets. The rally was not limited to gold, as silver and platinum also touched record highs, underscoring a broad-based surge across precious metal markets at the start of 2026.
Spot gold climbed as much as 0.7% to hit a fresh all-time high of $4,967.48 per ounce, while February gold futures advanced more than 1% to $4,969.69 per ounce. Silver saw an even sharper move, jumping nearly 3% to a record $99.03 per ounce, while platinum gained close to 1%, reaching a new peak of $2,692.31 per ounce. Although prices briefly eased after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a trade deal related to Greenland, investor confidence remained shaky due to the lack of clarity surrounding the agreement and ongoing questions over U.S. intentions regarding the Danish territory.
Precious metals have posted a stellar performance so far this year, driven by heightened global tensions and increased risk aversion among investors. A U.S. military incursion in Venezuela earlier this year, combined with renewed rhetoric over Greenland, has pushed traders toward physical assets perceived as stable stores of value. As a result, spot gold is up nearly 15% in 2026, while silver has surged almost 39% and platinum has gained around 21%.
Adding further support to metal prices is a softer U.S. dollar, as mixed economic data has reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates later this year. While the Fed is widely expected to keep rates unchanged at its upcoming meeting, growing political pressure on the central bank and concerns over worsening fiscal conditions in developed economies, particularly Japan, have rattled bond markets. Heavy sell-offs in U.S. and Japanese government bonds have prompted investors to pivot toward gold and other precious metals, strengthening their appeal as reliable safe-haven investments.
