China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
South Korea’s consumer inflation cooled in May, reaching its slowest pace in five months, signaling easing price pressures and potentially paving the way for further monetary policy support. According to data released by Statistics Korea on Wednesday, the consumer price index (CPI) rose 1.9% year-on-year in May, down from a 2.1% increase in April. This marked the weakest inflation rate since December 2024 and fell below the 2.1% median forecast from a Reuters poll of economists.
The slower-than-expected inflation comes as the Bank of Korea (BOK) recently lowered interest rates for the fourth time in its current easing cycle. The central bank aims to stimulate growth amid ongoing economic uncertainty, particularly surrounding the impact of U.S. tariffs on exports and manufacturing. With inflation moving below the central bank's target range, the door may now be open for further rate cuts.
Four out of seven BOK board members indicated openness to additional rate reductions within the next three months, underscoring the bank’s dovish stance. Easing inflation could reinforce this direction, providing room to bolster domestic demand and offset external economic pressures.
The softening in consumer prices also reflects subdued demand and relatively stable food and energy costs. Markets will closely watch upcoming economic indicators to assess whether the disinflationary trend persists and how it influences monetary policy decisions in the second half of the year.
South Korea's inflation trajectory remains a key focus for policymakers and investors as the country navigates a challenging global economic environment. The combination of lower inflation and an accommodative central bank signals ongoing efforts to support recovery without stoking price instability.
