Trump Tasks Top Advisers With Finding Way to -2-

0910 GMT - Gold prices slip in early trading but continue to be supported by expectations of a Fed interest-rate cut this week and a softer U.S. dollar. Futures in New York are down 0.1% to $4,237.90 a troy ounce, while spot gold is down 0.2% to $4,198.69 an ounce. The U.S. dollar index is down 0.1% to 98.93. Dovish comments from some Fed officials and the latest U.S. labor market data are supporting the case of a 25-basis-point rate cut this week--a scenario that typically benefits non-yielding bullion. However, traders are cautiously waiting for Fed Chair Jerome Powell's speech for more cues on the path ahead. "What happens next is the part no one agrees on," says Ipek Ozkardeskaya from Swissquote. "Some members worry that tariff-driven inflation could offset disinflationary forces and argue for caution." ([e-mail])

--

Oil Steadies With Focus on Geopolitical Risks, Fed Policy

0903 GMT - Oil prices steady as investors monitor geopolitical risks and expect the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates this week. Brent crude falls 0.2% to $63.64 a barrel, while WTI is down 0.1% to $60 a barrel after closing on Friday at their highest level in more than two weeks. A peace deal to end the war in Ukraine looks distant at the moment, while continued attacks on Russian energy infrastructure raise the risk premium, according to market watchers. Meanwhile, markets are pricing in an 86% chance of a quarter-point cut by the U.S. central bank. A lower-interest-rate environment typically supports economic activity and demand for commodities. ([e-mail])

--

Thailand's Rubber Sector Likely Hit Hard by Recent Floods -- Market Talk

0400 GMT - Thailand's rubber sector is likely to be hit hard by recent floods in the region, says Eugene Tan, associate economist at Moody's Analytics, in an email. The rubber sector is a notable contributor to Thailand's economy, which is the top global producer and exporter of natural rubber. Most plantations are concentrated in the southern provinces, which has been the worst hit by the floods. Moderate flooding in October has already led to a decline in rubber product production, Tan notes. "The much more severe flooding in November will impact rubber production more profoundly," he says. ([e-mail])

--

Iron Ore Slips; Supported by Improving Steel Mill Margins -- Market Talk

0251 GMT - Iron ore prices are lower in early Asian trade, with the most traded iron ore contract on the Dalian Commodity Exchange down 0.7% at CNY782.0 a ton. On the supply side, cumulative global iron ore shipments in 2025 continue to rise on year, while port inventories are also building, Nanhua Futures analysts say in a note. Yet, "with supply-chain tensions easing, steel mill margins improving, and rigid restocking demand for winter inventories strengthening, the downside for iron ore prices is expected to be limited," they add.([e-mail])

--

Palm Oil Falls, Tracking Weaker Soybean Oil -- Market Talk

0249 GMT - Palm oil falls in early Asian trade due to softer soybean oil prices on the Chicago Board of Trade, says David Ng, a trader at Kuala Lumpur-based Iceberg X. The edible oils often move in tandem as they are used in similar products. Market sentiment is also being weighed by the Malaysian ringgit's recent strength, he says. Ng sees support for crude palm-oil futures at 4,050 ringgit a ton and resistance at 4,200 ringgit a ton. The Bursa Malaysia Derivatives contract for February delivery is 25 ringgit lower at 4,127 ringgit a ton.([e-mail])

--

Copper Falls; Prices Could Ease Next Year -- Market Talk

0234 GMT - Copper falls in Asian trade, with the three-month contract on the London Metal Exchange shedding 0.2% to $11,601.00/metric ton. While copper rallied to record highs last week, the base metal's prices are likely to ease next year, according to Capital Economics' Kieran Tompkins in a note. He says most of the "bad news" related to tightening supply--such as an expected modest fall in Chinese producers' output next year--have already been priced in. Demand for copper is likely to be downbeat, with the correction in construction activity related to China's property sector set to remain a headwind, the senior climate and commodities economist adds. ([e-mail])

--

Crude Palm Oil Prices Could Ease Slightly Next Year -- Market Talk

0222 GMT - Crude palm oil prices are likely to ease slightly in 2026, say OCBC strategists in their 1H commodities outlook report. They note that Indonesia's production outlook was revised higher through 2H this year while fears about output disruptions in Malaysia due to heavy rains, have eased. Demand is likely to remain broadly supportive in early 2026, thanks to steady buying ahead of the Lunar New Year and Ramadan festive periods, before becoming more balanced in 2H next year. OCBC expects crude palm oil prices to average around 4,200 ringgit a metric ton in 2026, compared with the bank's estimate of 4,300 ringgit a ton in 2025. The Bursa Malaysia Derivatives contract for February delivery last ended 47 ringgit higher at 4,152 ringgit a ton. ([e-mail])

Write to Barcelona Editors at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

12-08-25 1123ET