Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
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 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Gold prices edged lower in Asian trading on Tuesday, but continued to hover near record highs as demand for safe-haven assets remained strong amid escalating U.S.-China trade tensions. Spot gold dipped 0.4% to $3,224.60 an ounce, while June gold futures held steady at $3,240.85/oz.
Although risk sentiment improved briefly following the U.S. decision to exempt electronics from new tariffs, President Donald Trump’s ongoing tariff threats—especially the looming duties on electronics and pharmaceuticals—kept market volatility high. The broader 145% tariffs imposed by the U.S., alongside China’s 125% retaliatory measures, sustained fears of a deepening trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
Gold remained close to its all-time high of $3,245.69/oz reached earlier in April. Persistent recession concerns and economic uncertainty continued to support bullion prices, especially as investors priced in a higher probability of a U.S. downturn despite a temporary 90-day exemption on reciprocal tariffs.
Weakness in the U.S. dollar, triggered by a selloff in Treasury markets, further boosted demand for gold and other precious metals. On Tuesday, silver futures rose 0.2% to $32.225/oz, while platinum futures stabilized at $956.60/oz.
Meanwhile, copper prices declined, reflecting ongoing concerns about reduced demand from China, the world’s largest importer. London copper futures dropped 0.2% to $9,168.65 per ton, while U.S. copper futures slipped 0.8% to $4.6230 per pound. Data released Monday showed a 1.4% decline in China’s copper imports in March. Market participants are now closely watching China’s upcoming Q1 GDP release, expected Thursday, for further economic signals.
