Tokyo Gas to Invest in US Downstream Assets to Drive Growth

Gold prices have steadied after a five-day rally, as investors are closely monitoring upcoming US economic data that may influence the Federal Reserve's decisions on interest rates. This pause in gold's upward momentum comes amid anticipation of potential rate cuts by the Fed.

Asian equities opened with a modest decline as investors adopted a cautious approach ahead of the release of critical US economic data, which is expected to provide insights into future interest rate movements. The Japanese yen, however, gained strength during this period.

Bets against the US dollar, commonly referred to as the greenback, are increasing as investors prepare for a significant release of US economic data. This trend reflects a cautious sentiment in the markets, with many anticipating potential shifts in monetary policy based on upcoming indicators.

Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA has recently suffered a cyberattack, leading to significant disruptions in operations and causing tankers to make abrupt U-turns amid rising tensions with the United States.

The United States has paused its £31 billion tech prosperity deal with Britain, citing insufficient progress on resolving trade barriers. This decision represents a significant setback in US-UK relations, particularly as the deal was initially celebrated as a transformative step in bilateral cooperation during Donald Trump's presidency.

The United States has requested that the European Union exempt its liquefied natural gas (LNG) from a proposed methane emissions law, as revealed in a recent document. This demand comes amid ongoing discussions about energy supply and environmental regulations, highlighting the complexities of transatlantic energy relations.

Chevron has lowered the price of Venezuelan crude following the U.S. seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, a move that has heightened tensions between the two nations. This seizure reflects ongoing U.S. military operations aimed at curbing Venezuela's oil exports and has led to fluctuations in oil prices.

US homebuilder sentiment has reached an eight-month high in December, indicating a positive outlook among builders as they navigate the current market conditions. This increase reflects growing confidence in the housing sector, which is crucial for economic recovery and stability.