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Gold prices rose 0.1% on Friday, following a 1% gain the previous day. The boost comes from safe-haven demand amid geopolitical tensions and U.S. economic data. Bullion surged over 27% in 2024. Investors await key U.S. job data and Fed-related updates next week for further market direction. Silver and platinum also experienced weekly ups.

The dollar experienced its best weekly performance in over a month, driven by expectations of fewer Fed rate cuts and the strong U.S. economy. This surge, reaching a two-year high, was also supported by incoming policies from President-elect Trump. While the euro and sterling fell significantly, the yen and Australian dollar showed slight recoveries but remained weak.

In 2024, hedge funds achieved strong double-digit returns. They made gains from market volatility, changes in central bank policies and the U.S. presidential election. Funds like Discovery Capital, Marshall Wace, Bridgewater Associates, and Citadel posted impressive returns. Quantitative hedge funds like Dunn Capital and CFM also benefitted from market movements.

Oil prices continue to rise, reaching their highest levels in over two months due to anticipated government policies aimed at reviving economic growth worldwide. Lower interest rates and China’s proactive measures are expected to stimulate fuel demand. Additionally, a potential cold snap in the U.S. and Europe may increase diesel demand.

MFIN has extended the deadline for the three-lenders per borrower rule to the end of March 2025. The rule aims to reduce borrower indebtedness and improve asset quality. Other new guidelines, including a cap on outstanding loans and halting lending to delinquent customers, took effect from January 1.

The regulator has also rejected settlement applications dated September 2, 2022, filed by ZEEL and Punit Goenka. These applications were related to the SCN, which pertained to alleged siphoning of funds from ZEEL to other promoter entities.

Both gauges, which logged their steepest daily upsides since November 22, have gained 2.3% in the first two trading sessions of 2025. In December, the two tumbled 2.6% each.

Shares in Australia and South Korea edged higher, as did US equity futures, after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 both fell on Thursday. Equity trading in Japan is closed for a holiday.

In December, the banking system liquidity slipped into deficit for the first time since June 2024. Despite easing the cash reserve ratio, the RBI managed call rates through variable rate repo auctions. System liquidity has been in deficit since mid-December, and interventions in the foreign exchange market are contributing to the pressure on liquidity.