Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
The U.S. Treasuries remained flat during Monday’s afternoon session after reacting to the Iranian news over the weekend; the S&P 500 opened lower this morning in the wake of ongoing tension in the Middle East.
Today’s economic calendar remains nearly empty, with barely any data of huge economic significance.
The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield hovered around 1.783 percent, the super-long 30-year bond yield remained flat at 2.246 percent and the yield on the short-term 2-year too traded steady at 1.530 percent by 12:45GMT.
A key focus in the US will be the December labour market report on Friday, with non-farm payrolls expected to have risen by somewhat less than the 180k average for the first eleven months of the year, having leapt 266k in November partly thanks to returning GM strikers. While revisions to the Household Survey will also be released, the unemployment rate is expected to remain unchanged at 3.5 percent. And growth in average hourly labour earnings is expected to move sideways at 3.1 percent y/y, Daiwa Capital Markets reported.
Other US data due this week include the December non-manufacturing ISM survey results (tomorrow), along with the final November trade and factory orders figures and followed by the ADP jobs data (Wednesday). Fed speakers include Board of Governors Vice Chair Clarida and New York Fed President Williams, both on Thursday, the report added.
Meanwhile, the S&P 500 Futures remained tad -0.42 percent down at 3,221.88 by 12:50GMT.
