Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
U.S. Stocks Rise as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Gold prices climbed in Asian trading on Thursday, supported by growing safe-haven demand amid ongoing concerns about U.S. debt levels and rising geopolitical risks. Spot gold rose 0.7% to $3,338.04 an ounce, while June gold futures gained 0.8% to $3,339.20 by early morning hours.
The precious metal remained strong after reports indicated Israel is prepared to strike Iran if nuclear talks with the U.S. falter. Although upcoming negotiations between Washington and Tehran helped ease immediate war concerns, markets remained cautious.
A key driver of gold’s rally this week has been investor anxiety over mounting U.S. debt. Moody’s recently downgraded the U.S. credit rating, citing fiscal risks, while Treasury yields spiked and demand for government bonds weakened. The U.S. Treasury’s $16 billion auction of 20-year notes on Wednesday saw soft interest.
Further pressure came from a Republican-supported tax cut and spending bill headed for a House vote. Analysts warn that expanded border security and defense spending, combined with tax reductions, could worsen the country’s debt outlook. Additionally, uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s trade policies continues to weigh on investor sentiment, adding to gold’s appeal.
A weaker U.S. dollar also helped lift other precious metals. Platinum futures rose 0.4% to $1,082.20 an ounce, and silver futures climbed 0.7% to $33.873.
Copper prices also advanced, driven by expectations of economic stimulus from China. London copper futures edged up 0.2% to $9,545.50 a ton, while U.S. copper futures surged 1.3% to $4.7175 a pound. Traders are optimistic after China cut its loan prime rate this week, signaling further support for economic growth and boosting hopes for stronger copper demand.
