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ADP weekly 4-week moving average of private employment 11.5K vs 17.5K prior
ADP weekly 4-week moving average of private employment 11.5K vs 17.5K prior

ADP weekly 4-week moving average of private employment 11.5K vs 17.5K prior

424792   December 23, 2025 20:30   Forexlive Latest News   Market News  

  • ADP Pulse for the week ending December 6 comes in at 11.5K vs a revised 17.5K last week
  • For the four weeks ending Nov. 29, 2025, private employers added an average of 17.5K jobs a week. This continued strengthening during the second half of November signals a rebound in hiring after four weeks of job losses. These numbers are preliminary and could change as new data is added.

For the full report CLICK HERE.

The ADP released their monthly report for November earlier in the month and it showed a net positive decline for the month at 32K. This report suggests a rebound in December.

What is the ADP NER Pulse?

ADP recently introduced a major evolution to its labor market tracking: the ADP NER Pulse. This new high-frequency data series was launched on October 28, 2024, to provide a more real-time look at the labor market than the traditional monthly report.

Here is the breakdown of how the 4-week average works and why it matters for your post today.

What is the ADP “Pulse” Data?

Unlike the standard monthly report, which captures a single “reference week” (the week of the 12th), the NER Pulse is a weekly estimate of private-sector employment changes.

  • The 4-Week Moving Average: To reduce the “noise” and volatility inherent in weekly payroll shifts, ADP reports the data as a 4-week moving average. This means the number you see today represents the average weekly job gain or loss over the last month.

  • The Lag: There is a two-week lag in the reporting. This allows ADP to collect and process complete payroll data from their 26+ million tracked employees to ensure the “pulse” is accurate.

  • Frequency: It is released every Tuesday at 8:15 a.m. ET, except for the week when the final monthly National Employment Report (NER) is published.

Why the Switch to Weekly?

The Fed and economists have recently criticized monthly data for being a “lagging indicator.” ADP’s shift aims to solve several problems:

  1. Spotting Turning Points: Monthly data can miss sudden economic shifts (like those caused by strikes, weather, or rapid cooling). Weekly data helps identify if a dip is a “bump in the road” or a new trend.

  2. Smoothing Volatility: By using the 4-week average, ADP mirrors the methodology used for “Initial Jobless Claims,” making it easier to compare hiring (ADP) vs. firing (Labor Dept).

  3. Data Quality: Because it uses actual administrative payroll records rather than surveys, it provides a “hard data” alternative to the BLS’s sometimes volatile survey results.

Why today is important?

Today’s release is particularly important because it follows a period of “choppy” hiring.

  • Previous Trend: The data released on December 16 showed a gain of 17,50 jobs per week (4-week average), which signaled a potential rebound after a rough October/November.

  • The data today shows a slowing of that hiring but still positive.

This article was written by Greg Michalowski at investinglive.com.

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Japan set to test mine rare-earth mud from deep seabed but China complications may arise
Japan set to test mine rare-earth mud from deep seabed but China complications may arise

Japan set to test mine rare-earth mud from deep seabed but China complications may arise

424789   December 23, 2025 17:14   Forexlive Latest News   Market News  

As a reminder, this isn’t the first time that Japan has explored the potential to get rare earth minerals supply outside of China. In fact, the whole Lynas plant setup in Malaysia was also a direct result of political altercation between Japan and China over a decade ago. So, here we are again. Well, sort of.

Japan’s government is now said to be exploring test mining of rare-earth-rich mud from the deep seabed off Minamitori Island. The test will be conducted from 11 January to 14 February and will mark the world’s first attempt to continuously lift rare-earth mud from a depth of around 6,000 meters on to a vessel.

According to the program director, the aim is to lift 350 metric tons of rare-earth mud per day. All the while, they will be monitoring the potential environmental impact both onboard and on the seabed throughout the operation.

As things stand, there is no production target that has been set. But if the project is a success, full-scale mining trial could begin in February 2027.

As a reminder, Japan’s efforts here are part and parcel to keep diversifying on rare earth minerals supply. And the big issue is not so much seeking the supply but rather the processing capabilities. And this is where the corridor with Australia that enabled the building of the Lynas plant in Malaysia – the largest rare earth processing facility outside of China – might come in.

Yes, that’s the one that also saw China kick up a fuss when Trump came to visit.

But this time, China could be more directly involved in the matter. During the period earlier this year when Japan was conducting rare earth surveys within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around Minamitori Island, a Chinese naval fleet was reported to have entered the waters. A warning sign perhaps?

And even if not that, one can guarantee that Beijing won’t be happy with the whole ordeal – especially to any country that looks to reduce their ace card of using rare earth minerals supply as part of geopolitical leverage.

This article was written by Justin Low at investinglive.com.

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Fiscal jackpot to send gold to $5,000 next year?
Fiscal jackpot to send gold to $5,000 next year?

Fiscal jackpot to send gold to $5,000 next year?

424788   December 23, 2025 16:14   Forexlive Latest News   Market News  

If it hasn’t been said already, the reasons underpinning the gold rally are bountiful. And with the precious metal continuing to soar to new heights towards the end of the year, the question is can it keep up the good form for a third straight year running?

In that lieu, one key driver that could really send gold into overdrive in 2026 is the rise in fiscal concerns in major economies. In particular, gold could really hit the jackpot here as the stars align with the US, Europe, and Japan all needing to fight for fiscal survival.

The case scenario in the US is one that market punters have talked about for a long time now. As the fiscal deficit continues to blow up, it continues to raise a major concern with the US’ debt-to-GDP ratio hitting over 120%.

As things continue down this path, the main worry is that the US is pretty much stuck in a ‘debt spiral’. And that is one that lawmakers and policymakers will find it tough to get out of.

Trump’s recent policies are aimed to try and address that somewhat. In trying to address the deficit, he knows that he has to somehow increase federal revenue. And that is where tariffs come in.

I mean, that is what happens when for every dollar the government collects, they pretty much have to spend nearly 20% on interest costs before allocating the money to serve their agenda.

And that’s also in part the reason why Trump wants to pressure the Fed into cutting rates further. That is to reduce the cost to service this debt. But in turn, that turns into a major risk for the US dollar and it is one that we’re seeing the greenback punished for this year.

And amid the de-dollarisation and debasement trade, it still stands to reason why investors will want to seek gold as a suitable alternative.

Then, there is also Europe.

The case in the euro area is defined as a push and pull between France and Germany. The former is already a fiscal red flag for the region with French bond yields even trading above Italy’s at this stage. And that says a lot considering how Italy has always been the poster boy for bad fiscal reputation in Europe.

Amid a flagging economy and political uncertainty, France is in a crippled state and is one that will continue to pose worries to the euro area next year.

Meanwhile, Germany is quite the opposite. They have decided to loosen the purse strings and push forward with the end of austerity. From last week: Germany unveils historic €512 billion issuance for 2026

That puts the ECB in a bit of a pickle. The central bank has to strike a balance in keeping rates in a sweet spot, just low enough to keep France out of trouble but high enough to not see a debasement of the euro currency as Germany begins to borrow its way out of stagflation.

And lastly, there’s Japan. New prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is a big fiscal dove and her plan is to try and go big on spending to “grow” their way out of a 250% debt-to-GDP ratio. Well, good luck with that.

The issue with her plan is that it runs against what the BOJ has been doing recently and what the central bank plans to do next year. And that is already evident in the December monetary policy decision this month.

The BOJ wants to normalise policy further but in raising interest rates, it is incurring more cost to the government in trying to services this massive and ballooning debt.

Amid all this, the Japanese yen is the one being caught in the crossfire and being sacrificed in order to try and allow for Takaichi’s ambitions to take flight. But in losing its status as a traditional haven currency and a slow rush to the exits, it once again opens up a debasement angle and one for gold to take advantage of.

The trio of fiscal predicaments above highlight a continued opportunity for gold traders to work with come next year. Even if major central banks might put a stop to rate cuts, the fact that central bank demand is still strong – with good reason – stands to reason that gold might not lose too much shine.

A case of a debasement of currencies and a ‘rebasement’ of gold seems to be a strong reason for gold to keep the rally going. But as always in trading, do be wary of any consensus trade. And when something goes too far, too fast, there is always a scope for pullbacks.

This article was written by Justin Low at investinglive.com.

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Germany November import prices +0.5% vs +0.2% m/m expected
Germany November import prices +0.5% vs +0.2% m/m expected

Germany November import prices +0.5% vs +0.2% m/m expected

424766   December 23, 2025 14:14   Forexlive Latest News   Market News  

  • Prior +0.2%

The year-on-year figure is a standout as Germany records a drop of 1.9% in import prices compared to November 2024. That marks the sharpest year-on-year decline for import prices since March last year.

Looking at the details, energy prices were the main culprit as they were seen down 15.7% compared to November 2024. But on a monthly basis, they were the biggest contributor as prices were seen up 3.1% on average compared to October.

In excluding energy prices, German import prices are seen down only 0.3% on a year-on-year basis while up 0.3% on the monthly estimate.

This article was written by Justin Low at investinglive.com.

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Japan’s Takaichi says national debt is still high, rejects “irresponsible bond issuance”
Japan’s Takaichi says national debt is still high, rejects “irresponsible bond issuance”

Japan’s Takaichi says national debt is still high, rejects “irresponsible bond issuance”

424765   December 23, 2025 13:30   Forexlive Latest News   Market News  

The message is certainly interesting with Takaichi definitely trying to soothe Japanese markets more than anything else with this one. After already enacting a roughly ¥18 trillion supplementary budget for the current fiscal year, her government is expected to go through with a ¥122 trillion budget for the next fiscal year starting April.

Her fiscal dovishness has come under intense scrutiny, not least with the selloff in Japanese bonds and the yen currency. And she certainly knows that very well.

But in trying to shore up confidence and not prevent an overbearing fallout, she has to play her part in saying the things she needs to say and that’s what we’re seeing.

Takaichi mentions to Nikkei that Japan’s national debt level is still high and that she rejects the idea of “irresponsible bond issuance or tax cuts”.

It’s all mainly an attempt to try and calm down investors, as JGB yields continue to surge higher while the yen currency suffers.

So far today, things are at least looking a bit better but this is akin to just putting a plaster on the hole on the dam. Her big picture plans remain clear for all to see and there’s no way she will be backing down from that. I mean, she’s even trying to get the BOJ on board so it speaks a lot to her conviction.

USD/JPY is down 0.6% on the day to 156.07 while 10-year JGB yields are down 3 bps from yesterday to 2.04%. The latter hit a high yesterday of 2.10%, just for some context. Yikes.

As for the former, the drop still isn’t too comforting with buyers looking to hang on near the 200-hour moving average (blue line) to try and reaffirm the upside momentum from the latest bounce at the end of last week.

This article was written by Justin Low at investinglive.com.

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investingLive Asia-Pacific FX news wrap: Gold & silver new record highs. Yen & yuan higher
investingLive Asia-Pacific FX news wrap: Gold & silver new record highs. Yen & yuan higher

investingLive Asia-Pacific FX news wrap: Gold & silver new record highs. Yen & yuan higher

424764   December 23, 2025 11:14   Forexlive Latest News   Market News  

Summary:

  • Gold and silver surged, with gold nearing US$4,500 and silver pushing toward US$70 on safe-haven demand, lower real yields and US dollar weakness.

  • The yen strengthened further, extending gains after FX warnings from Atsushi Mimura and Satsuki Katayama, pulling USD/JPY down to around 156.30.

  • Japanese equities rose as JGB yields retreated from record highs, with the Topix nearing a record and support from Goldman Sachs’s Japan expansion plans.

  • The onshore yuan firmed in spot trade despite a softer People’s Bank of China fixing, signalling tolerance for gradual CNY strength.

  • The Australian dollar edged higher after Reserve Bank of Australia minutes reinforced a hawkish hold and debate over whether policy is still restrictive.

Precious metals extended their rally again today, with prices surging further. Gold pushed up toward US$4,500 without quite reaching the level as of writing, while silver also climbed sharply, topping out just shy of the US$70 handle.

Currencies also reflected a defensive tilt, with both the Japanese yen and the Chinese yuan strengthening. Yen gains continued following verbal intervention earlier in the week from Japan’s top currency diplomat Atsushi Mimura and Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama. The renewed warning against speculative and one-sided FX moves helped push USD/JPY down to around 156.30.

Japanese equities rose, aided by a pullback in domestic bond yields after a sharp spike earlier in the week. The Topix climbed to 3,422, moving closer to its recent record high of 3,434.6, while the tech-heavy Nikkei lagged amid lingering valuation concerns around AI-linked stocks. Sentiment was also supported by headlines that Goldman Sachs plans to expand acquisitions and investments in Japan’s corporate deals market by roughly US$5.1bn over the next decade, with a focus on mid-sized firms.

Japanese government bond yields declined across maturities as conditions stabilised following earlier record highs in two-, 20- and 30-year debt.

In China, the People’s Bank of China set its USD/CNY fixing at 7.0523, a near 15-month high for the onshore yuan. The fixing showed the largest weak-side deviation versus Reuters’ market estimate since November 2022, a signal the PBOC is leaning against rapid yuan appreciation. Even so, spot trading saw the onshore yuan strengthen past 7.03 per dollar, its firmest level since October 2024, reflecting broad dollar weakness.

The Australian dollar edged higher ahead of the release of the December Reserve Bank of Australia minutes. The minutes revealed discussion around the conditions under which the Bank might need to pivot back toward rate hikes in 2026 if inflation risks persist. While the Board reiterated its data-dependent stance, the tone remained hawkish, with debate centred on whether the current cash rate is still restrictive amid limited spare capacity.

Earlier, comments from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent added to policy uncertainty. Speaking on a podcast, Bessent said Fed Governor Steve Miran is likely to return to the White House early next year and questioned the precision of inflation targeting, while also flagging growing support among potential Fed chair candidates for scrapping the dot plot.

Geopolitically, President Donald Trump said the United States “needs Greenland for national security,” citing Russian and Chinese maritime activity near the territory.

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.

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Geopolitics “Peace on earth. Goodwill to all mankind”. Not this year it seems
Geopolitics “Peace on earth. Goodwill to all mankind”. Not this year it seems

Geopolitics “Peace on earth. Goodwill to all mankind”. Not this year it seems

424763   December 23, 2025 03:30   Forexlive Latest News   Market News  

Executive Summary: A World on Edge

  • Escalating Nuclear Anxiety: Prime Minister Netanyahu has signaled that Iran’s recent military exercises and nuclear ambitions remain a primary threat, with high-level strategy talks set to begin with the Trump administration.

  • Defense Sector Breakthrough: The U.S. Aerospace & Defense sector (ITA) is hitting record highs as President Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth prepare a major shipbuilding announcement to bolster naval superiority.

  • The Safe-Haven Stampede: Heightened uncertainty in Ukraine, new U.S. naval blockades near Panama, and surveillance operations in Nigeria have created a perfect storm for precious metals, with gold up nearly $100 in a single session.

Geopolitical Flashpoints: Conflict and Surveillance

The global landscape is shifting rapidly as diplomatic efforts struggle to keep pace with military movements.

  • Israel and Iran: Prime Minister Netanyahu warned today of a “sharp response” to ongoing Iranian missile drills, which Israeli intelligence suggests could be cover for a surprise attack. Netanyahu is scheduled to meet President Trump at Mar-a-Lago on December 29 to discuss “basic expectations” regarding Iran’s nuclear activities.

  • Russia-Ukraine: Vice President JD Vance expressed skepticism regarding a “peaceful solution” in the near term but noted that 28-point peace negotiations are continuing. He emphasized that any deal must be acceptable to both parties to ensure the conflict does not restart.

  • Nigeria and West Africa: The U.S. has ramped up surveillance flights over Nigeria following President Trump’s threat to intervene militarily to protect Christian populations from ongoing violence.

  • Maritime Friction: Tensions are rising in the Caribbean as the Panama Foreign Minister confirmed that ships intercepted by the U.S. (part of a newly announced “blockade” on sanctioned oil) had failed to respect international maritime regulations.

The Military Build-Up: ICBMs and Shipbuilding

A new Pentagon report has sent shockwaves through the defense community, detailing a massive acceleration in China’s nuclear capabilities.

  • China’s Silo Fields: Intelligence reports indicate China has likely loaded over 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) across three silo fields near the Mongolian border. Beijing currently shows “no appetite” for arms-control talks.

  • Naval Expansion: All eyes are on Palm Beach at 4:30 PM today, where President Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth are expected to announce a massive new shipbuilding initiative. This move is designed to reclaim U.S. naval dominance and has already sent defense stocks soaring.

Market Reaction: Gold, Silver, and Defense Records

The financial markets are reflecting the growing “anxiety premium” as investors rotate out of risk and into defensive assets.

Precious Metals & Energy

Aerospace & Defense (ITA ETF)

The ITA US Aerospace and Defense ETF is trading at $219.24, up 2.44%. This move puts the fund on pace for a record-high close, successfully recovering from its November corrective lows. Since November 21, the sector has surged 12% in just 20 trading days.

Equities Performance

Despite the global tension, U.S. indices remain resiliently positive as the trading day nears its conclusion:

  • Dow Jones: 48,386.71 (+252 pts / 0.52%)

  • S&P 500: 6,876.67 (+42.14 pts / 0.62%)

  • NASDAQ: 23,423.00 (+117 pts / 0.51%)

This article was written by Greg Michalowski at investinglive.com.

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US treasury auctions $69B of 2 year notes at a high yield of 3.499%
US treasury auctions $69B of 2 year notes at a high yield of 3.499%

US treasury auctions $69B of 2 year notes at a high yield of 3.499%

424762   December 23, 2025 01:14   Forexlive Latest News   Market News  

The US treasury auctioned off $69B of 2-year notes at a high yield of

  • WI level at the time of the auction 3.496%
  • Tail +0.3 basis points vs 6 month average of -0.4 bps
  • Bid to cover 2.54Xvs 6 month average of 2.61X
  • Directs 34.1% vs 6 month average of 31.7%
  • Indirects 53.2% vs 6 month average of 57.1%
  • Dealers 12.7% vs 6 month average of 11.2%.

AUCTION GRADE:D+

Auction demand is typically assessed by comparing the key components against their six-month averages.

The bid-to-cover ratio measures the number of bids received relative to the amount offered, providing a snapshot of overall demand. Direct bidders represent the share taken by domestic U.S. investors, while indirect bidders reflect international participation. The dealer take shows how much of the issue was absorbed by the U.S. government dealer community.

In this auction, the only clear positive was that domestic demand exceeded its six-month average. International participation was below average, while dealers were left holding a larger share than normal, indicating weaker end-user demand. The auction tailed, and the bid-to-cover ratio came in below its recent average, reinforcing the softer tone.

While the result was not a disaster, and seasonal effects from the Christmas holiday week may have weighed on participation, the auction outcome was below average overall.

The U.S. Treasury continues to auction debt to fund ongoing deficits. Following today’s 2-year note auction, the Treasury will sell $70 billion of 5-year notes on Tuesday and $44 billion of 7-year notes on Wednesday.

This article was written by Greg Michalowski at investinglive.com.

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Canada November producer price index +6.1% y/y vs +6.0% prior
Canada November producer price index +6.1% y/y vs +6.0% prior

Canada November producer price index +6.1% y/y vs +6.0% prior

424761   December 22, 2025 20:39   Forexlive Latest News   Market News  

  • IPPI for November 6.1% vs 6.0% prior
  • RMPI YoY 6.4% vs 5.8% prior
  • IPPI MoM 0.9% vs 0.3% est and 1.5% previous
  • RMPI MoM 0.3% vs 1.6% last

In simple terms, IPPI and RMPI are the two halves of Canada’s “Producer Price Index.”1 They track inflation at the business level rather than the grocery store level.2

Here is the breakdown of what each represents:

1. RMPI (Raw Materials Price Index)

What it is: This measures the price of inputs. It tracks what Canadian manufacturers have to pay to get raw materials into their factories.

What’s included: Raw minerals, metal ores, crude oil, logs, and unprocessed agricultural products (like wheat or cattle).

Key Detail: This is a “purchaser’s price.” It includes the cost of the item plus the extra stuff it takes to get it to the factory door, like transportation, custom duties, and taxes.

2. IPPI (Industrial Product Price Index)

What it is: This measures the price of outputs. It tracks the money manufacturers receive for the goods they’ve finished making as they leave the building.

What’s included: Finished or semi-finished goods like gasoline, lumber, processed food (like meat), and machinery.

Key Detail: This is a “factory gate price.” It represents only what the producer actually receives. It specifically excludes taxes, transportation, and retail markups.

The Main Differences at a Glance

This article was written by Greg Michalowski at investinglive.com.

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The worst thing you can do in the next week or so
The worst thing you can do in the next week or so

The worst thing you can do in the next week or so

424758   December 22, 2025 16:14   Forexlive Latest News   Market News  

As the year winds down towards a close and the holiday season takes over, there are still important lessons that one can take away from trading this period. Yes, markets will remain open and that means we as traders need to know how to navigate through the conditions in play.

So, what is the worst thing that you can do when dealing with markets during this period?

I would argue it is to go looking for something that just isn’t there.

Everyone likes action in markets. Nobody likes a dull day. However, it doesn’t mean that every action is one worth noting and chasing. And especially in a time like this, it doesn’t mean that things are what they would seem.

Liquidity conditions are thin and so the flows that are still there will exacerbate price movements in pretty much all asset classes.

Yes, some of moves might fit a certain narrative or bias that we as traders will associate to a certain asset. But again, correlation doesn’t mean causation in this case.

The thing about holiday-thin trading especially when the flows are pretty much the lowest for the year during a one-week period, is that sometimes things just don’t make sense. Price movements are exacerbated and there can be sudden spikes in volatility.

However, that doesn’t mean that markets are “moving” and that there is some fundamental event that is “shifting” the market narrative.

At the end of the day, we as retail traders can only go with the flow. And it’s important to always read the tea leaves and understand what trading conditions play to our advantage.

And this period just isn’t one of those times, typically. Yes, we can get lucky and get something from trades in the next week or so. But I would say, it’s more or less the same as going to the roulette table.

So if you’re wanting to chase that extra bit of profit or to make up for something else in the next week or so, proceed with heavy caution. This won’t be one of those normal trading periods with normal liquidity and market conditions, far from it.

Sometimes the best trade that you can make is to do nothing at all. And that’s an important lesson to always remember, especially when dealing with times like these.

To those already done for the year, I hope that 2025 has been a fruitful year of gains, profits, and lessons for everyone. And to those already on break, have a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s holiday! Catch you again next year.

This article was written by Justin Low at investinglive.com.

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German auto exports reportedly hit the hardest by US tariffs
German auto exports reportedly hit the hardest by US tariffs

German auto exports reportedly hit the hardest by US tariffs

424757   December 22, 2025 14:30   Forexlive Latest News   Market News  

The study reportedly shows that German auto exports to the US declined by almost 14% in the first three quarters of the year, making it the hardest hit industry amid the tariffs imposed by US president Trump.

As a reminder, this comes despite a “better” agreement of 15% baseline tariffs on autos set out by Washington and Brussels. That as opposed to the initial 25% rate which was on top of the 2.5% levy previously.

Besides the auto sector, German engineering firms also struggled with exports to the US in that sector seen down almost 10% in the first three quarters of 2025. For some context, machinery exports are slapped with a 50% tariff rate when related to steel and aluminium products.

The author of the study, Samina Sultan, noted that:

“Since it must currently be assumed that US import tariffs will not return to ​pre-Trump administration levels in the foreseeable future, a significant recovery in German exports to the US is unlikely.”

Adding that this is going to be the “new normal” for German exporters with the trade war set to prolong under Trump’s administration. As such, this is just something that not only Germany but most countries across the globe have to get used to.

I would say that the report isn’t the least bit surprising. And tariffs definitely do not help to ease the pressure on the German economy, which is facing stagflation pressures as we look towards 2026 now.

This article was written by Justin Low at investinglive.com.

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investingLive Asia-Pacific FX news wrap: Yen recovered a little, silver new record high
investingLive Asia-Pacific FX news wrap: Yen recovered a little, silver new record high

investingLive Asia-Pacific FX news wrap: Yen recovered a little, silver new record high

424737   December 22, 2025 11:14   Forexlive Latest News   Market News  

Japanese markets were the main movers as the week got underway. The Nikkei 225 rose alongside other regional equities, benefiting in particular from the earlier slide in the yen, which boosted exporters by making Japanese stocks cheaper in foreign-currency terms. Japanese government bond yields also edged higher, often read as a sign of stability concerns, but the move was largely shrugged off by markets today.

The yen later clawed back some ground, with USD/JPY retracing from early highs around 157.75 to lows near 157.25. JPY bids were helped by verbal intervention from Japan’s top currency diplomat, Atsushi Mimura. Mimura said that authorities are “concerned” about recent foreign-exchange moves, describing them as “one-sided and sharp,” and warned that officials would take “appropriate actions” against excessive volatility. The language was familiar, but the timing, so soon after last week’s central bank meeting, was enough to prompt some trimming of short-yen positions.

Elsewhere in FX, major pairs traded in relatively narrow ranges. Both the AUD and NZD ground out modest gains against the USD.

Oil prices found some early support after a renewed uptick in geopolitical risk. Over the weekend, the United States intercepted a Venezuelan oil tanker, while tensions between Israel and Iran remained elevated, the two news items together helping rebuild a modest risk premium in crude.

In US policy news, the Wall Street Journal reported on an interview/podcast with Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack, who pushed back against recent dovish expectations. Hammack said she favours holding rates steady for several months and remains more concerned about inflation than labour-market weakness, adding that November’s CPI likely understated true inflation pressures.

Corporate chatter included an interesting social-media post from hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, who outlined a proposal for taking SpaceX public without Wall Street banks or IPO fees. The idea would give Tesla shareholders priority access to the deal, framing it as a more democratic alternative to a traditional IPO.

In commodities, spot silver surged 3% to a fresh record high above US$69, while gold prices also rose, pushing back toward US$4,400.

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.

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