Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Gold prices climbed in Asian trading on Wednesday as geopolitical tensions and a softer U.S. dollar spurred demand for safe-haven assets. Spot gold rose 0.4% to $3,302.02 per ounce, while June gold futures gained 0.6% to $3,303.62.
The uptick followed a CNN report that Israel is preparing for a potential strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, citing unnamed U.S. officials. While no final decision has been made, observed military movements suggest active planning. A strike would likely escalate Middle East tensions, drawing sharp retaliation from Iran and disrupting global markets. This heightened geopolitical risk boosted inflows into traditional safe havens like gold and the Japanese yen.
Gold also benefited from ongoing concerns about U.S. fiscal stability. Moody’s recently downgraded the U.S. sovereign credit rating, citing growing debt and excessive government spending. Additionally, uncertainty around U.S. trade negotiations and hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials pressured the U.S. dollar, further supporting gold and other dollar-priced commodities.
Despite the Fed’s stance against near-term rate cuts, economic headwinds and geopolitical instability have helped gold stay above the $3,000 mark. The metal now trades less than $200 below its all-time high set earlier this month.
Other precious metals showed mixed performance. Platinum futures dipped 1% to $1,050.50 per ounce, while silver futures edged up 0.2% to $33.255. Industrial metals also saw gains, with London copper futures rising 0.4% to $9,559.25 per ton and U.S. copper futures climbing 0.4% to $4.6928 per pound.
The combination of geopolitical stress, dollar weakness, and cautious economic outlook continues to support bullish sentiment in the gold market. Investors remain watchful for further developments in the Middle East and U.S. fiscal policy.
