BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
U.S. Stocks Rise as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for Fed Rate Cut 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
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.
