Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Gold prices declined in Asian trading on Friday, with spot gold dropping 0.8% to $3,214.90 per ounce and June futures down 0.3% to $3,217.65. The precious metal is on track for its steepest weekly loss since November 2024, falling about 3.2% as easing tensions between the U.S. and China reduced demand for safe-haven assets.
The recent agreement between Washington and Beijing to temporarily lower trade tariffs boosted global risk appetite, prompting a rally in equities and risk-driven assets. This shift in sentiment led traders to lock in profits from gold’s recent record highs. Additionally, strength in the U.S. dollar and rising Treasury yields applied further downward pressure on gold prices.
Despite the decline, gold remains above the key $3,000/oz level. Market participants are cautiously awaiting a more definitive trade resolution between the U.S. and China, while soft U.S. economic data continues to cloud the growth outlook.
Other precious metals also faced losses. Platinum futures fell 0.5% to $989.90/oz, and silver futures slipped 0.3% to $32.593/oz, both set for weekly declines alongside gold.
In the industrial metals segment, copper prices edged lower on Friday. London Metal Exchange copper dipped 0.2% to $9,567.30 per ton, and U.S. copper futures also lost 0.2% to $4.6695 per pound. Despite the dip, copper held onto weekly gains driven by optimism over China’s economic prospects.
Traders now look ahead to key Chinese economic indicators, including industrial production and retail sales data due Monday, followed by the People’s Bank of China’s loan prime rate decision on Tuesday, which could signal further stimulus measures.
