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In focus today

In the euro area, focus turns to the Sentix investor confidence indicator for December and the German industrial production data for October. The Sentix indicator will give us the first signal of investor confidence in December while German industrial production is the first 'hard data' for Q4. The German PMIs suggest that industrial production in October was little changed compared to September.

Early tomorrow morning, the Reserve Bank of Australia RBA will hold its final monetary policy meeting of the year. We expect no policy changes, in line with consensus and market pricing. Recent solid economic data has driven a hawkish repricing of markets' policy rate expectations, with the next most likely policy change being a rate hike in H2 2026.

The big event this week is the FOMC meeting on Wednesday, preceded by the much-delayed September JOLTS job openings data on Tuesday. Rate decisions from Canada (Wednesday) as well as Switzerland and Turkey (Thursday) will also draw attention. In Scandinavia, notable data releases include final Swedish CPI and growth figures, Norwegian CPI, and Norges Bank's regional network report.

Economic and market news

What happened overnight

In China, November trade data showed exports rising by 5.9% y/y (prior: -1.1%), exceeding expectations due to strong growth in shipments to non-US markets amid elevated US tariffs. Imports rose 1.9% y/y (prior: 1.0%), below forecasts and signalling subdued domestic demand. This marks the first time China's year-to-date trade surplus in goods exceeded USD 1tn. Read more in Research China – A two-speed economy, 8 December.

In Japan, total cash earnings were up 2.6% y/y in October compared to 2.1% in September. This leaves real earnings at -0.7% y/y as wages continue to struggle to compensate for particularly food price surges earlier this year. Q3 GDP growth was revised lower to -0.6% on lower investments and exports. This is considered a temporary setback following several strong quarters, though, and it is not enough to derail a December Bank of Japan-hike. Private spending edged 0.2% higher, reflecting continuous recovering consumer sentiment since the spring.

In Southeast Asia, Thailand launched air strikes on Cambodia, marking the collapse of the Trump-brokered peace deal. Cambodia accused Thailand of the attacks, while Malaysia called for restraint as tensions over historic border disputes escalate.

What happened over the weekend

In the euro area, wage growth in Q3 rose against expectations, with compensation per employee rising to 4.0% y/y from 3.8% y/y in Q2. Compared to the ECB staff projections from September, which estimated Q3 wage growth at 3.2% y/y, the high print is a hawkish surprise for the ECB. With headline inflation averaging 2.1%, consumers experienced significant real wage gains, which is supportive for consumption. While inflation is expected below 2% next year due to temporary factors like energy prices and a stronger euro, strong wage growth indicates persistent domestic price pressures.

GDP growth in Q3 was revised up to 0.3% q/q from 0.2% q/q, driven by rounding adjustments. Private consumption contributed positively but slowed to 0.2% q/q from 0.3% q/q in Q2, reflecting cautious consumer behaviour despite solid real income gains of nearly 2% y/y. Apart from consumption, investments and government consumption were the main growth drivers, while net exports weighed negatively. Read more in Euro Area Macro Monitor – Southern Europe outshines in growth and public finances, 8 December.

In the US, the delayed September PCE inflation landed close to expectations. Core services inflation momentum cooled slightly at 0.2% m/m SA (cons: 0.2%, prior: 0.1981). At the same time, December's flash consumer confidence index from the University of Michigan revealed a decline in consumers' inflation expectations, with 1-year expectations falling to 4.1% (prior: 4.5%) and 5-year expectations dropping to 3.2% (prior: 3.4%), likely reflecting lower gasoline prices. While no major surprises, this on the margin supports the Fed's rate cut anticipated this week.

Also in the US, President Trump unveiled his National Security Strategy, emphasising his 'America First' vision. Key priorities include reinforcing US dominance in the Western Hemisphere via the revived Monroe Doctrine, countering China's influence in Latin America, and deterring conflict in the Indo-Pacific through military strength. The strategy also questions Europe's reliability as an ally, calling on NATO members to assume greater defence responsibilities. Notably, the Kremlin welcomed the strategy, stating its adjustments align with Russia's own global perspective.

In the Russia-Ukraine war, US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg stated that efforts to reach a breakthrough are "really close", with key issues including the Donbas region and Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. However, the Kremlin has called for radical changes to US proposals, underscoring ongoing challenges in reaching a resolution. Today, Zelensky meets European leaders to discuss next steps, including securing meaningful guarantees.

In Japan-China relations, tensions escalated as Japanese aircraft were targeted by radar from Chinese fighter jets near Okinawa in two incidents Tokyo called "dangerous". PM Takaichi condemned the actions and lodged a protest with Beijing, while Japan vowed to respond calmly to maintain regional stability. The incidents highlight strained ties amid disputes over Taiwan and broader regional security challenges.

Equities: Equities slowed on Friday following strong gains earlier in the week. US and European indices were little changed on Friday but ended the week almost 1% higher. Nordic markets outperformed, with Stockholm and Helsinki locking in almost 2% for the week. The explanation is straightforward: Nordic equities lagged in the initial recovery. Asian markets are continuing higher this morning, while US and European futures are somewhat indecisive.

Although markets appeared calm on the surface on Friday, we note a clear risk-on rotation beneath it, with cyclical sectors rising roughly 1%, financed by declines in defensives. For the week as a whole, global cyclicals outperformed defensives by 2.5 p.p., the strongest relative performance since the earnings season.

FI and FX: Last week ended with slightly higher yields, both in Europe (2bp) and the US (4bp). We start the week at unchanged levels compared to Friday in US-treasuries. EURUSD is hovering around 1.165 and USDJPY at 155.2 as markets will increasingly focus on the widely expected Fed rate cut on Wednesday where markets price -23bp.

Source: Danske Bank

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XAUUSD continues to rise amid expectations of Fed policy easing and steady gold demand from China, with prices currently standing at 4,217 USD.

XAUUSD forecast: key trading points

Fundamental analysis

XAUUSD quotes are moderately rising after rebounding confidently from the 4,205 USD support level. The market is focused on the final Fed monetary policy meeting of the year, where traders expect policymakers to move towards lowering interest rates.

Mixed US labour market data, combined with core inflation that matched forecasts, strengthens the case for further policy easing. The core PCE price index, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.2% month-on-month and 2.8% year-over-year in September, the highest since April 2024.

Current market expectations indicate an 87.2% probability that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates by 25 basis points, with investors also pricing in two additional cuts next year. Gold is further supported by continued demand from China: the country's central bank has increased its gold reserves for 13 consecutive months.

XAUUSD technical analysis

XAUUSD quotes continue to attempt to rise within an ascending price channel. Despite the slowdown in upward movement and the formation of a Triangle pattern, buying pressure remains dominant, as evidenced by the price holding above the EMA-65.

The XAUUSD forecast for 8 December 2025 suggests the bearish correction is nearing completion, followed by renewed growth towards 4,365 USD. An additional bullish signal comes from the Stochastic Oscillator, with the signal lines bouncing off the support level and approaching oversold territory.

A consolidation above 4,290 USD will serve as key confirmation of the end of consolidation and the formation of a bullish impulse within the Triangle pattern.

Summary

XAUUSD prices retain strong upside potential amid expectations of Fed rate cuts and stable gold demand from China. Today's XAUUSD analysis indicates continued bullish sentiment, and a breakout above 4,290 USD will open the way towards the next target at 4,365 USD.

EURUSD 2026-2027 forecast: key market trends and future predictions

This article provides the EURUSD forecast for 2026 and 2027 and highlights the main factors determining the direction of the pair's movements. We will apply technical analysis, take into account the opinions of leading experts, large banks, and financial institutions, and study AI-based forecasts. This comprehensive insight into EURUSD predictions should help investors and traders make informed decisions.

Gold (XAUUSD) forecast 2026 and beyond: expert insights, price predictions, and analysis

Dive deep into the Gold (XAUUSD) price outlook for 2026 and beyond, combining technical analysis, expert forecasts, and key macroeconomic factors. It explains the drivers behind gold's recent surge, explores potential scenarios including a move toward 4,500 to 5,000 USD per ounce, and highlights why the metal remains a strong hedge during global uncertainty.

Source: RoboForex

Last week was full of uncertainties and mixed signals, but US indices ultimately ended in the green after the PCE report — the Fed's preferred inflation gauge — confirmed that inflation remains elevated, near 3%, well above the 2% target, but broadly stable.

Core PCE even eased slightly to 2.8% from 2.9%. More importantly for sentiment, both the 1-year and 5-year Michigan inflation expectations fell. December's survey showed a modest improvement in consumer sentiment — likely helped by the holiday season — but current conditions deteriorated. The softening in recent economic data explains why inflation expectations are easing: the weaker the labour market, the more cautious households become, and the slower price pressures build. That's not good news for Main Street — but it is good news for Wall Street, where investors are eager for rate cuts as long as corporate earnings hold up.

The good news for them is that a 25bp Fed cut on Wednesday is essentially locked in. The recent weakness in employment data and a stable, up-to-date PCE print support that decision.

But what happens next is the part no one agrees on. The FOMC is divided. Some members worry that tariff-driven inflation could offset disinflationary forces and argue for caution — versus those pushing for quicker cuts, in line with political pressures and public preference. The base case is that politics will dominate and that rates will continue to move lower as the committee rotates toward members more aligned with the incoming administration's views, starting with a new Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair.

But here is the risk: if the Fed delivers politically driven cuts without economic justification, markets could push back and long-term yields could rise.

Elsewhere, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), the Bank of Canada (BoC) and the Swiss National Bank (SNB) are all expected to keep rates unchanged. In Japan, today's weak GDP print raised some doubts among Bank of Japan (BoJ) hawks, but 10-year yield continues to climb — now around 1.96% — as wage growth accelerates and keeps inflation concerns alive. The BoJ still looks likely to hike next week.

Meanwhile, tensions between China and Japan are rising, boosting Japanese defence stocks, with Mitsubishi and Kawasaki Heavy Industries each up between 2-3% this morning. Chinese equities, by contrast, are gaining on strong trade data showing a robust jump in exports last month as firms rushed to move inventory ahead of the latest tariff truce with the US.

Oil is also firmer: WTI broke above its 50-day moving average last Friday and closed the week above it, suggesting that further upside is possible, supported by a softer US dollar — which, in theory, should help EM demand — and ongoing AI-related energy needs.

AI earnings: two major AI-linked names report earnings this week. Let's start with the simpler one: Broadcom, reporting Thursday. Expectations are constructive. Broadcom continues to benefit from Google's accelerating deployment of TPUs — for internal use and for Google Cloud customers. Broadcom is one of Google's key partners in producing these chips, handling physical design and components for the latest TPU generations. Rising TPU demand therefore translates into meaningful revenue for Broadcom. The company also recently expanded its client base, including chip supply for Meta. Altogether, the stock remains — for now — relatively resilient to the broader AI-sector volatility.

Oracle, however, is more complicated. The company is now treated as a bellwether of AI-related balance-sheet RISK: it has taken on significant debt to fund its AI and cloud expansion, and carries a lower credit rating than its Big Tech peers. Its 5-year CDS widened sharply last week to a 16-month high.

Analysts expect Oracle to report roughly $16.2bn in revenue and $1.63 EPS. Those figures look solid at first glance but current estimates imply about 9–10% revenue growth and 11–12% EPS growth versus last year. That signals that Wall Street is no longer expecting blowout numbers, but rather a steadier, more incremental climb as Oracle converts its large AI-cloud backlog into realised revenue. Expectations are low — the good news. The bad news is that investors will scrutinise margins and capital efficiency.

Oracle's massive cloud and AI build-out has required equally massive spending. Capex has surged as the company races to expand data-centre capacity, putting pressure on margins just as scrutiny intensifies. At the same time, Oracle's elevated debt load remains one of the largest in Big Tech, and the recent CDS widening shows that credit markets are increasingly sensitive to how much leverage is being used to finance its AI push.

Source: Swissquote Bank SA