ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
China’s gold consumption fell 5.96% year-on-year to 290.492 tons in the first quarter of 2025, according to the China Gold Association, as high gold prices dampened demand for traditional jewellery. The surge in gold prices has shifted consumer behavior, with more buyers favoring gold bars and coins as investment vehicles rather than ornamental pieces.
Gold jewellery demand saw a sharp 26.85% decline compared to a year earlier, totaling 134.531 tons. In contrast, consumption of gold bars and coins jumped 29.81% to 138.018 tons, as investors sought safe-haven assets amid persistent geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties.
Meanwhile, China's domestic gold production grew by 1.49% year-on-year to 87.243 tons in the first quarter. Including 53.587 tons of gold extracted from imported materials, the country's total gold output reached 140.830 tons, marking a 1.18% annual increase.
The shift toward gold investment products highlights growing concerns among Chinese consumers over global economic stability, prompting a move away from luxury purchases toward assets perceived as financial protection. Analysts expect this trend to continue if high gold prices and market volatility persist.
