U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Gold prices surged in Asian trading Thursday, bouncing back from earlier losses as uncertainty over the U.S.-China trade war and renewed Russia-Ukraine tensions boosted demand for safe haven assets.
Spot gold rose 1.3% to $3,331.34 an ounce, while June futures gained 1.4% to $3,341.25/oz by 01:37 ET. Despite dipping earlier this week after President Donald Trump hinted at reducing tariffs on China, gold remains near its record high of $3,500/oz. JP Morgan predicts prices could reach $4,000/oz by 2026, supported by persistent economic and geopolitical risks.
Trump’s remarks on possibly cutting steep 145% tariffs on Chinese imports sparked brief optimism, but lack of clarity and skeptical follow-up statements from U.S. officials tempered the market’s reaction. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent cautioned that any trade deal with Beijing would be slow-moving, and likely require the U.S. to initiate tariff cuts first. China, meanwhile, has responded with 125% tariffs and shown no sign of backing down.
Amid this uncertainty, investors reduced exposure to the dollar and Treasuries, pivoting toward gold and the Japanese yen as primary safe haven assets. The dollar’s recent weakness has also lent support to precious metals broadly.
Geopolitical risks further intensified after Russia launched a drone and missile assault on Kyiv, even as U.S.-mediated ceasefire talks with Ukraine faltered. Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy over Crimea, and several top U.S. officials exited ceasefire negotiations in London, deepening investor anxiety.
Elsewhere, platinum futures edged up 0.1% to $979.75/oz, while silver slipped 0.4% to $33.39/oz. In base metals, London copper dipped 0.1% to $9,371.35 per ton, and U.S. copper held steady at $4.8348 per pound.
