Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
Citi Forecasts a Volatile but Ongoing Bull Market for S&P 500 in 2026 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
Singapore GDP Growth Surges in 2025 but Outlook Remains Cautious Amid Global Trade Risks 
U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Policy Clues in Holiday-Thinned Trade 
Gold prices edged lower in Asian trading on Thursday as risk appetite slightly improved following U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments that it was “highly unlikely” he would fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The reassurance tempered some market fears, reducing safe-haven demand and lifting U.S. equities.
Spot gold dipped 0.2% to $3,342.09 per ounce, while September gold futures fell 0.3% to $3,348.40. Despite the pullback, underlying demand for gold remained supported by persistent uncertainty surrounding Trump’s upcoming tariff plans, which are expected to be enacted in just over two weeks.
Broader precious metals also showed resilience. Platinum inched up to $1,424.55 per ounce, holding above the key $1,400 level, which analysts at ANZ said could indicate further strength. Spot silver gained 0.2% to $37.9945 per ounce. Copper prices were mixed, with LME benchmark futures steady at $9,629.75 per ton and COMEX copper rising slightly to $5.5267 per pound.
The U.S. dollar remained firm near a three-week high, buoyed by sticky inflation data that dampened expectations for near-term rate cuts. Both consumer and producer price indices for June came in hotter than anticipated, reinforcing bets that the Fed will hold interest rates steady at its next meeting. Upcoming U.S. retail sales and jobless claims data are expected to offer further clues on the economic outlook.
Trump’s ongoing criticism of Powell has fueled market anxiety, but his latest comments eased concerns slightly. Still, Trump warned that firing Powell could still be on the table if fraud is found in the Fed’s renovation project. Meanwhile, the Fed has signaled a cautious approach, awaiting further clarity on inflation impacts from Trump’s trade measures.
