Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Gold prices slipped in Asian trading on Monday, retreating from record highs amid signs of easing U.S.-China trade tensions. Spot gold dropped 0.8% to $3,292.75 per ounce by 01:54 ET (05:54 GMT), while June gold futures edged up 0.2% to $3,303.77 per ounce.
Market sentiment shifted after media reports indicated China exempted certain U.S. imports from its retaliatory 125% tariffs. President Donald Trump said last week that tariff negotiations were underway and that he had spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later contradicted Trump, saying he was unaware of any ongoing talks, while Chinese officials also denied recent discussions.
Investors remained cautious ahead of a key batch of U.S. economic data this week, including April’s jobs report, first-quarter GDP figures, and the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, the PCE price index. These indicators will likely influence expectations for future interest rate moves as the Fed maintains a cautious stance amid global uncertainty. The U.S. Dollar Index was little changed on Monday.
In other metals, silver futures slipped 0.6% to $32.807 per ounce, while platinum futures rose 0.5% to $977.55 per ounce.
Copper prices also edged lower, with London Metal Exchange copper futures falling 0.2% to $9,389.0 a ton and May copper futures declining 0.4% to $4.8737 per pound. However, hopes for additional economic stimulus from China, the world’s largest copper importer, helped limit losses. Chinese media reported that Beijing remains confident in achieving its 5% annual growth target, potentially boosting demand for industrial metals.
