Headline: Risk-Off Wave Hits Global Markets as Tech and Crypto Slide; Gold Softens on Fed Doubts
A cautious mood swept across global markets this week, with investors retreating from risk assets amid shifting interest-rate expectations, growing economic strain, and renewed volatility in digital assets. While safe-haven demand had bolstered precious metals through much of the year, gold eased after mixed U.S. labor data dampened hopes for swift Federal Reserve rate cuts.
Gold prices slipped 0.7% over the week as traders recalibrated their views on the Fed’s policy path. Despite the pullback, the metal remains sharply higher year to date—up about 55%—prompting debate over whether the rally is overstretched. In the U.S., signs of strain are mounting: layoffs have surged, consumer confidence has fallen, and household debt pressures are intensifying. The AI-driven equity boom continues to prop up headline indices, but underlying growth signals are turning uneven.
In Asia, policy and valuation concerns drove sharp moves. Japan approved roughly $135 billion in fiscal stimulus, yet the yen weakened as investors questioned the longer-term fiscal outlook and watched government bond yields for direction. Asian technology shares dropped around 5% on worries over stretched AI valuations, with SoftBank sliding about 10% as traders weighed sector leadership and Nvidia’s influence on sentiment. Elsewhere, energy bills are set for a modest increase in January as price caps rise, reflecting persistent policy and wholesale cost pressures.
Digital assets bore the brunt of risk-off positioning. Bitcoin briefly fell below $87,000, dragging the broader crypto market capitalization down by roughly $1 trillion and pushing the token to multi-month lows. While some analysts flag the potential for a fourth-quarter rebound, the near-term tone remains defensive as liquidity tightens and volatility picks up.
Key Points: – Gold fell 0.7% for the week as rate-cut odds eased, though it remains up about 55% year to date. – U.S. data show rising layoffs, weaker consumer confidence, and growing debt burdens despite AI-fueled equity strength. – Japan launched a ~$135B stimulus package; the yen retreated amid fiscal concerns and focus on bond yields. – Asian tech stocks dropped around 5% on AI valuation worries; SoftBank declined about 10%. – Energy price caps are edging higher, pointing to slightly increased household bills in January. – Crypto markets slumped, with Bitcoin dipping below $87,000 and total market value shrinking by about $1 trillion.
