Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Gold prices fell in Asian trading on Friday, pressured by a resilient U.S. dollar and mixed signals surrounding President Donald Trump’s trade tariff agenda. Spot gold dropped 0.7% to $3,293.44 an ounce, while August gold futures slipped 0.8% to $3,316.67 by early morning trade.
The yellow metal is on track for a weekly loss, driven by sustained dollar strength and profit-taking following record highs earlier in May. Despite brief gains after an appeals court reinstated Trump’s proposed tariffs, uncertainty surrounding his shifting stance limited support for bullion. Earlier in the week, gold prices declined when Trump delayed imposing steep tariffs on the EU, followed by a court ruling temporarily blocking those tariffs.
The dollar held firm, supported by better-than-expected U.S. GDP data showing a smaller contraction in Q1 and Federal Reserve comments suggesting no near-term rate cuts. These developments bolstered the dollar, applying downward pressure on gold and other precious metals. Platinum fell 0.6% to $1,074.85 per ounce, and silver slid 1% to $33.075. Industrial metals also weakened, with LME copper down 0.1% to $9,564.40 per ton and U.S. copper futures dipping 0.4% to $4.6535 per pound.
Markets are now focused on the upcoming PCE price index data—considered the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge—which is expected to show persistent inflation above the central bank’s 2% target. This could further reinforce the Fed’s cautious stance on interest rates.
Meanwhile, social media buzzed with the term “TACO” (“Trump Always Chickens Out”), mocking the president’s inconsistent trade policy moves, which have added volatility but little clear direction for the gold market.
