Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Gold soared to an all-time high on Thursday as the Federal Reserve hinted at two potential interest rate cuts this year, boosting bullion’s appeal amid economic uncertainty and geopolitical risks.
Spot gold edged up 0.1% to $3,049.89 an ounce at 0210 GMT, after reaching a record $3,055.96 earlier. U.S. gold futures climbed 0.6% to $3,058.40. Analysts attribute the surge to market volatility, a weaker U.S. dollar, and expectations of lower interest rates.
The Fed maintained its benchmark rate at 4.25%-4.50% on Wednesday, signaling two quarter-point cuts by the end of 2025. The prospect of lower rates, which reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold, has fueled demand for the precious metal.
Meanwhile, renewed Middle East tensions and economic concerns stemming from former President Trump’s tariff policies have intensified investor interest in gold as a safe-haven asset. The Israeli military resumed ground operations in central and southern Gaza, with airstrikes reportedly killing at least 48 Palestinians.
Gold has now hit 16 record highs in 2025, with four surpassing the $3,000 threshold. Despite the rally, some analysts foresee resistance at $3,090-$3,100, with potential for short-term corrections. However, recent pullbacks have been brief and met with strong buying interest.
Other precious metals remained steady, with silver at $33.81 an ounce, platinum rising 0.1% to $994.05, and palladium inching up 0.1% to $957.42.
With economic uncertainty persisting and the Fed’s dovish stance, gold’s bullish momentum appears strong, keeping investors focused on its next potential milestone.
