China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
Oil Prices Slide in 2025 as Oversupply and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech and Financial Stocks Weigh on Markets Amid Thin Holiday Trading 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
Gold prices climbed sharply during Asian trading on Monday as investors rushed toward safe-haven assets following reports of a major U.S. military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. The geopolitical shock rattled global risk sentiment, driving strong demand for precious metals amid growing uncertainty over regional stability and energy markets.
Spot gold rose around 1% to trade near $4,375 per ounce by late U.S. hours, while U.S. gold futures for March delivery advanced roughly 0.8% to about $4,381. The jump reflects heightened investor caution after U.S. officials confirmed that Maduro was detained during a weekend raid in Caracas and transferred to the United States to face longstanding criminal charges. The operation represents the most direct U.S. intervention in Venezuela in decades and has drawn criticism from several countries, adding to broader market unease.
U.S. President Donald Trump described the capture as a decisive move against what he labeled a criminal regime, stating that Washington would support a safe and orderly political transition in Venezuela. Investors are now closely watching the potential fallout for oil markets, as Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven crude reserves. However, years of sanctions, political turmoil, and underinvestment have already constrained output, and the latest developments have increased uncertainty over near-term oil supply.
Beyond geopolitical tensions, gold continues to benefit from a supportive macroeconomic backdrop. Expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts later this year, ongoing central bank gold purchases, and persistent concerns about global economic growth have all underpinned bullion prices. These factors have reinforced gold’s appeal as a hedge against volatility, inflation, and currency risk.
Other precious metals also posted strong gains. Silver prices surged more than 2% to around $74 per ounce, while platinum futures jumped over 3% to roughly $2,210 per ounce, reflecting broad-based safe-haven buying across the commodities market.
