Datatrack - Blog

2025-12-03

US Cuts Tariffs on South Korea

The United States recently confirmed it will lower tariffs on South Korean imports from 25 percent to 15 percent, retroactive to November 1, 2025. This move significantly reduces the burden on major Korean export items such as automobiles and aircraft components. Overall industry costs are expected to decline by about 10 percent compared with the previous month, while easing the market uncertainty caused by the earlier high tariffs. Automakers like Hyundai and Kia are expected to benefit the most, potentially saving billions of dollars in tariff payments starting in November and setting a new record low tariff level since the bilateral trade agreement took effect. On South Korea’s side, the National Assembly passed a bill on November 26 to fulfill its 350 billion dollar strategic investment commitment to the United States, meeting the requirements outlined in the U.S. memorandum and prompting the U.S. Department of Commerce to finalize the tariff reduction. This investment framework originated from the summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Trump on October 29, where the two sides reached an “investment-for-tariffs” agreement, including 200 billion dollars in cash investments and a 150 billion dollar shipbuilding cooperation project. The Trump administration is promoting this approach to strengthen U.S. industrial interests, while South Korea is moving quickly through legislation to prevent its electronics and automotive sectors from continuing to face a 25 percent tariff burden. In the short term, the tariff reduction is expected to support growth in Korean exports to the U.S., with automobile sales in the first quarter of 2026 projected to rise more than 5 percent year over year, helping revive the supply chain. In the midterm, the U.S.–Korea trade framework may expand to more product categories. South Korea will need to continue meeting its investment commitments to maintain the reciprocal 15 percent tariff rate, the same level granted to Japan and the European Union, and reduce risks in future negotiations. While the overall market outlook is generally positive, global trade conditions remain uncertain under Trump’s policies. South Korean companies will need to strengthen domestic production strategies to better withstand volatility.

By ariachiang

2025-11-27

The Fed's Latest Beige Book: Cooling Consumer Spending and Softening Labor Market

The Federal Reserve’s November 2025 Beige Book indicates that overall economic activity showed little change compared with the previous report, though some districts experienced slight declines. Consumer spending continued to weaken, particularly in the first half of November, as automobile sales dropped noticeably following the expiration of federal tax credits. The labor market softened as firms largely implemented hiring freezes or only replaced departing employees, leading to further slowing in employment growth. On the price front, input costs generally increased, and overall prices rose moderately due to higher tariffs as well as rising insurance, utility, and healthcare expenses. The slowdown in consumer spending and employment was driven by several factors. The government’s earlier prolonged shutdown heightened market uncertainty and reduced consumers’ willingness to spend. Advances in artificial intelligence replaced certain entry-level positions, boosting business efficiency but reducing the need for new hires. Toward the end of the year, rising cost pressures, particularly tariff-related increases in input costs that fed into final prices, made consumers more price-sensitive and restrained spending. Additionally, performance in the financial and real estate sectors was mixed, with notable regional differences in construction activity and office real-estate markets. In the short term, the Beige Book suggests rising risks of further economic slowdown, and businesses generally maintain a cautious outlook. The Federal Reserve may lean toward easing policies in response to cooling consumption and a weakening labor market. In the medium term, cost pressures remain, and differing corporate attitudes toward price pass-through may keep inflation trends volatile. Policymakers will closely monitor upcoming official data releases, particularly employment and inflation indicators, to guide monetary policy adjustments. Markets broadly expect room for a rate adjustment in December, with labor-market and consumption trends continuing to serve as key indicators.

By ariachiang

2025-11-25

Gold and Silver Surge Again: Demand Accelerates Driven by Capital and Policy Synergy

Gold and silver prices have clearly rebounded over the past two months. According to ANZ’s report, as of September 2025, gold has reached around 4,000 USD per ounce, rising more than 10 percent from the beginning of the year. Silver has surpassed 44.7 USD per ounce, hitting a multi-year high. In mid-November, supported by capital inflows and policy expectations, gold and silver strengthened again and remained near multi-year highs. Overall, both metals showed double-digit growth compared with the same period last year, reflecting rising risk-aversion and steady industrial demand. Recently, gold and silver prices moved higher once more, driven mainly by three factors. First, the expansion of the US fiscal deficit and the possibility of a more accommodative monetary policy from the Federal Reserve have increased market liquidity, enhancing the appeal of precious metals as safe-haven assets. Second, structural demand driven by the energy transition, especially strong silver demand from the solar industry, has further supported silver prices. In addition, rising geopolitical tensions and greater macroeconomic uncertainty have reinforced gold’s role as a store of value, while a weaker US dollar and shifts in the global monetary system have strengthened upward momentum for gold. In the short term, expectations of policy easing and safe-haven demand will likely keep gold fluctuating around 4,000 USD, while silver has the potential to challenge the 50 USD level. In the medium term, structural demand from new energy and industrial applications will continue to support silver, while gold is expected to benefit from a weaker dollar and central banks’ ongoing accumulation, maintaining a bullish bias. Although policy shifts may create short-term volatility, the fundamentals of the gold and silver markets remain solid, reflecting the long-term value re-rating under global economic and energy-structure changes. Investors may continue monitoring monetary policy and geopolitical risks to capture potential price movements. Read More at Datatrack

By ariachiang

2025-11-24

US October CPI Report Canceled for the First Time, Inflation Trend Awaited

Latest updates in November 2025 indicate that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics was unable to conduct price surveys during the federal funding lapse, leading to the cancellation of the October 2025 CPI release. Since CPI calculations heavily rely on real-time surveys, the missing data cannot be reconstructed retroactively, leaving October’s inflation conditions incomplete. However, some non-survey-based inputs will be incorporated into the November release. As a result, the November CPI publication date has been postponed from December 10 to December 18. According to the BLS, price surveys could not be legally conducted during the shutdown, and the associated data cannot be rebuilt afterward. This makes it impossible to produce both the headline and core CPI for October, and updates will only resume once data collection is restored. In addition, the Bureau of Economic Analysis announced that the release of another key inflation gauge, the PCE, will also be rescheduled, with the exact date yet to be determined. This further widens the information gap for markets and policymakers, leaving the Federal Reserve without a critical inflation indicator ahead of its year-end rate meeting and adding uncertainty to policy assessment. From a market perspective, the absence of October CPI deprives investors of a major short-term inflation signal, potentially increasing volatility risks. In the mid-term, the November CPI—set for release on December 18—will offer a more complete picture of price trends, helping the market and the Federal Reserve reassess the path of future policies. Market expectations generally foresee inflation hovering around 3 percent, and the upcoming data will play a pivotal role in shaping the year-end policy decision. Read More at Datatrack

By ariachiang

2025-11-20

Latest Federal Reserve FOMC Minutes: Rate Cut Uncertainty and Economic Dynamics

According to the minutes of the Federal Reserve’s October FOMC meeting, policymakers showed clear divisions over the future path of monetary policy. As of mid-November 2025, the federal funds rate remained unchanged at the 3.75 to 4 percent range, and market expectations for a December rate cut had fallen to around 33 percent, indicating weaker support for near-term easing. Recent economic data highlighting labor-market resilience and gradually moderating inflation became key discussion points, leading some officials to argue for waiting for further clarity before adjusting policy. The minutes show that many officials believe additional rate cuts may not be necessary in 2025 and prefer keeping current rates for an extended period to avoid overstimulating the economy or reigniting inflation. A smaller, more hawkish group still supports rate cuts to bolster growth, but the overall tone has shifted toward maintaining the status quo, adding uncertainty to the policy outlook. In the short term, markets expect the Fed to maintain a steady stance without rushing into a new easing cycle. However, policy adjustments remain possible in the medium term depending on economic developments. Investors should closely track upcoming economic indicators and official commentary to assess the direction of future market trends.

By ariachiang

2025-11-19

Dow Jones Index Falls for Fourth Consecutive Day Reflecting Rising Market Uncertainty

As of November 18, 2025, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has declined for four consecutive trading sessions, closing at 46,590.24. This represents a roughly 1.5% pullback compared with two days earlier. Month to date, the index has fallen about 2% and has retreated noticeably from its year-to-date peak, indicating weakening short-term momentum. Despite still recording an approximate 6.5% gain so far this year, the Dow has slipped to a multi-month low, reflecting more cautious investor sentiment and heightened market volatility. The recent decline has been driven by several factors. Concerns that the Federal Reserve may extend its tightening cycle, keeping interest rates elevated and restraining corporate earnings growth, have weighed on the market. At the same time, pullbacks in technology stocks, particularly those related to artificial intelligence, have intensified overall pressure. Global economic uncertainties, including U.S.–China trade negotiations and geopolitical tensions, have further boosted risk aversion and prompted capital to shift toward safer assets. In the short term, market volatility is likely to persist, and investors should monitor Federal Reserve policy signals and key economic data. Over the medium term, if economic fundamentals remain solid, the market may find support after recent fluctuations and gradually recover. A pragmatic investment approach with timely adjustments to asset allocation is recommended to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by macroeconomic developments. Overall, a cautious tone is expected to remain dominant in the near term.

By ariachiang

2025-11-18

Fed Governor Waller Cites Weakening Job Market, Endorses Three Rate Cuts in 2025

Latest data in 2025 indicates continued weakness in the U.S. job market. In July 2025, new jobs added totaled only 73,000, well below the forecasted 100,000, marking the lowest monthly job growth this year. The unemployment rate slightly increased from 4.1% in June to 4.2%. Meanwhile, the number of long-term unemployed (over 27 weeks) rose from 1.65 million to 1.83 million, reflecting cautious hiring by employers and a significant slowdown in labor market momentum. These figures underscore the fragile state of the labor market supporting the case for three consecutive rate cuts. Several factors contribute to the weakened job market. Reduced immigration at the borders and heightened immigration enforcement have slowed the replenishment of labor supply. Demographic trends including aging and retirements further restrict labor availability. Companies’ economic uncertainties have led to conservative hiring practices. Structural changes in labor demand surface as industries transform, with high demand in AI and net-zero related sectors contrasting with sluggish traditional industries. These combined elements dampen overall job growth momentum. Fed Governor Waller publicly advocates a third consecutive rate cut in December 2025, citing the fragile job market and risk management. In the short term, rate cuts aim to stimulate economic activity and support job creation amid persistent inflation and structural adjustments. Medium-term focus lies on balancing labor supply and demand and restoring business confidence. Efforts to accelerate industry AI adoption and talent development may address structural employment issues. Overall, the labor market remains in transition, with upcoming policy decisions and economic indicators critical to watch.

By ariachiang

2025-11-13

US Government Shutdown Ends After Record 43 Days

The U.S. government shutdown, which lasted 43 days starting in early October 2025, finally ended following a congressional vote on November 12, marking the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The closure delayed the release of key data for October and early November, including employment, inflation (CPI, PPI), and consumer spending. Market expectations for annual GDP growth have been slightly revised down from 0.8% to 0.7%. According to the White House Council of Economic Advisers, consumer spending in October alone dropped by about USD 30 billion due to the shutdown, while the unemployment rate may temporarily rise from 4.3% to 4.8%. The shutdown stemmed from deep partisan divisions over the FY2025 budget bill, with disputes centering on Medicaid funding, border policy, and spending cuts. During the shutdown, business activity slowed and federal employee pay was suspended, putting pressure on consumption, the service sector, and financial markets. Budget freezes in several departments also led to flight delays and postponed food inspections, causing tangible disruptions to daily life. With Congress reaching an agreement, federal agencies are expected to gradually resume operations, and delayed economic data will be released in the near term. In the short run, as some fiscal disputes remain unresolved, markets are likely to stay cautious toward federal policy, with business investment and export growth expected to ease to around 0.7%. Over the medium term, as long as fiscal gridlock does not recur, economic activity is expected to regain momentum, and markets will closely monitor future developments in taxation and healthcare policy.

By ariachiang

2025-11-11

Deep Dive into the Short-Term Market Turbulence from the US Government Shutdown

As of early November 2025, the U.S. government shutdown has lasted for more than 40 days, marking the longest in history and triggering significant market volatility. Over the past week, the S&P 500 Index fell by about 1.6%, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 3%, recording its steepest weekly decline since April. The slump reflects a clear decline in investor risk appetite. The shutdown stemmed from Congress’s failure to pass annual appropriations bills on time, and deepening political divisions have further heightened market uncertainty. Investor confidence has weakened, and the high valuations of tech stocks have led to particularly poor performance in the Nasdaq. Meanwhile, tightening liquidity in the Treasury’s cash accounts has added pressure to overall market funding conditions. However, a recent bipartisan agreement in the Senate to extend government funding through the end of January 2026 has helped avert a more severe crisis, slightly easing short-term market concerns. Historical data suggest that if a shutdown ends within a few weeks, the stock market typically rebounds quickly; a prolonged one, however, could dampen corporate investment sentiment. With signs of a gradual government restart emerging, expectations for market stabilization have increased. In the short term, if the shutdown crisis is resolved, market confidence is expected to recover gradually, potentially driving a rebound in equities. Nonetheless, lingering political divisions and economic uncertainties continue to pose risks of volatility. Medium-term focus will be on the progress of budget negotiations and the recovery of economic indicators. Investors should remain cautious about the potential drag of the shutdown on corporate earnings and consumer confidence, while also monitoring the implications of the U.S. debt and fiscal deficit. Overall, once the government fully reopens, market performance will rely more on fundamental factors, with volatility likely to gradually subside.

By ariachiang