Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Global Forex Markets Brace for Fed Decision as Yen Extends Weakness 
U.S. stock index futures edged lower in Thursday’s holiday-thinned session as geopolitical and monetary policy risks dampened investor sentiment. S&P 500 Futures dropped 0.2% to 6,022.0, Nasdaq 100 Futures slipped 0.2% to 21,904.25, and Dow Jones Futures declined 0.3% to 42,392.0.
Markets remained cautious after President Donald Trump delayed a decision on potential U.S. military action against Iran, amid escalating tensions with Israel. The White House confirmed that Trump will decide on U.S. involvement within two weeks, keeping investors on edge. Despite considering direct strikes, Trump has also hinted at possible nuclear negotiations with Tehran, although he remains firmly opposed to Iranian nuclear enrichment.
The Israel-Iran conflict, now in its eighth day, has triggered risk-off sentiment across global markets, with concerns mounting over a broader Middle East war. The situation has also pushed oil prices higher, raising fears of energy-led inflation.
Adding to the uncertainty, the Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady on Wednesday but signaled fewer rate cuts in 2026. Fed Chair Jerome Powell maintained a data-driven stance and highlighted persistent inflation risks, partly due to Trump’s proposed tariffs. While the Fed still projects two rate cuts in 2025, markets were disappointed by the more cautious long-term outlook.
Wall Street remained rangebound during the shortened week. The S&P 500 ended Wednesday nearly flat at 5,980.87, the Nasdaq Composite ticked up 0.1% to 19,546.27, and the Dow Jones dipped 0.1% to 42,171.66.
With the combination of geopolitical tension, rising oil prices, and hawkish Fed signals, investor caution remains high. Markets are likely to stay volatile as they await further clarity on U.S. foreign policy decisions and inflation trajectory.
