South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Gold prices climbed in Asian trading on Thursday, driven by softer U.S. inflation data that reinforced expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts. Spot gold rose 0.4% to $2,945.18 per ounce, while April gold futures gained 0.2% to $2,953.62 an ounce.
The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.2% in February, bringing the annual inflation rate to 2.8%, below the expected 2.9% and down from January’s 3.0%. This cooling inflation strengthened market expectations for three rate cuts in 2025, with the first anticipated in June. Lower interest rates typically boost gold’s appeal by reducing the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets. Investors are closely watching the Federal Reserve’s upcoming March 18-19 meeting for further guidance.
Gold’s safe-haven demand also increased as former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened fresh tariffs on EU goods in response to planned counter-tariffs. This followed the U.S.’s 25% tariff on steel and aluminum, escalating trade tensions. Canada responded with retaliatory tariffs on $21 billion worth of U.S. imports. The U.S. Dollar Index remained near a four-month low, adding to gold’s attractiveness.
Other precious metals struggled, with platinum futures down 0.7% to $990.10 an ounce and silver futures dipping 0.4% to $33.593 an ounce. Meanwhile, copper prices fell after Trump hinted at adding the red metal to trade protections, with April copper futures slipping 0.2% to $4.8340 a pound.
Amid inflation concerns and rising trade tensions, gold remains a key asset for investors seeking stability, with market focus shifting to the Fed’s upcoming policy decision.
