U.S.–Taiwan Trade Agreement Sets 15% Tariff, Boosts Energy and Semiconductor Investment 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Japan Signals Openness to Gradual BOJ Rate Hikes as Deflation Era Ends 
Gold and Silver Prices Slip After Strong U.S. Jobs Data, Fed Rate Cut Bets Fade 
Ukraine Secures $8.2 Billion IMF Loan as Tax Conditions Are Eased 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Tumble Ahead of Key CPI Inflation Data 
Japan GDP Growth Slows Sharply in Q4 2025 Amid Weak Business Spending and Trade Tensions 
Asian Stock Markets Trade in Narrow Range as Japan GDP Misses Forecasts, Hang Seng Gains 
Asian Currencies Trade in Tight Range as Dollar Steadies; Yen Slips on Weak Japan GDP 
Asian Markets Consolidate Gains as Japan GDP Disappoints and Fed Rate Cut Bets Rise 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Stabilizes Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher Ahead of Holiday as Investors Await Key Economic Data 
Japan Coalition Urges BOJ Independence as Sales Tax Cut Plan Advances 
Yen Pulls Back After Rally as Fed Rate Cut Bets Support Dollar Stability 
Oil Prices Steady but Head for Weekly Loss as Supply Glut Concerns Weigh 
Japan, U.S. Speed Up Talks on $550 Billion Investment Deal Amid Tariff Pressure 
Gold prices steadied during Asian trading on Thursday after surging more than 2% in the previous session, as thin liquidity from Lunar New Year holidays limited further upside. Investors continued to weigh persistent geopolitical tensions and mixed signals from the Federal Reserve, both key drivers of the precious metals market.
Spot gold edged down 0.1% to $4,971.55 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures slipped 0.4% to $4,991.59. In the prior session, bullion rallied 2.1% and briefly crossed the $5,000 per ounce mark, recovering most of the losses recorded earlier in the week. However, reduced trading volumes across major Asian markets amplified short-term price movements and curbed momentum.
Safe-haven demand remains strong as geopolitical risks intensify. Market participants are closely monitoring rising tensions between the United States and Iran, particularly concerns surrounding maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and stalled nuclear negotiations. Ongoing uncertainty in Russia-Ukraine peace efforts has also reinforced global security concerns, supporting demand for gold as a hedge against instability.
Meanwhile, investors digested minutes from the Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting, which revealed divisions among policymakers regarding the future path of interest rates. Some officials signaled that additional tightening could be necessary if inflation remains persistent, while others suggested that rate cuts could be possible later in the year.
The prospect of higher-for-longer U.S. interest rates boosted the U.S. dollar and Treasury yields, pressuring non-yielding assets like gold. The U.S. Dollar Index held steady after climbing 0.6% overnight following the release of the Fed minutes. Rising yields typically increase the opportunity cost of holding gold, limiting its upside potential.
Traders now await the upcoming U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index data, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, for clearer signals on monetary policy and the direction of gold prices.
