Asian Stocks Rally as AI Optimism Lifts Markets; Yen Holds Gains Ahead of BOJ Decision 
Gold Prices Fall 1% Ahead of Fed Decision as Markets Watch Warsh, Iran Talks 
Chile Central Bank Holds Interest Rate at 4.5% as Inflation and Global Risks Persist 
Oman Proposes Strait of Hormuz Plan as U.S., Iran Remain Divided Over Shipping Fees 
Gold Price Rallies as Fed Holds Rates, Middle East Tensions Boost Safe-Haven Demand 
US Stock Futures Rise as Amazon Earnings Boost AI Optimism Despite Apple Selloff 
Oil Prices Jump 4% as Iran Missile Strike Revives Middle East Supply Fears 
US Stocks Slide as Fed Holds Rates, AI Chip Selloff Deepens and Oil Prices Surge 
Asian Stocks Rebound as SK Hynix Earnings Calm AI Fears, Oil Surges Ahead of Fed Decision 
Asian Stocks Slip as Fed Holds Rates, Samsung Earnings Fail to Lift AI Sentiment 
US Stock Futures Slip Ahead of Fed Decision, Big Tech Earnings Amid Middle East Tensions 
Hong Kong Home Prices Extend Winning Streak With 13th Straight Monthly Gain in June 
China PMI Falls Into Contraction as Manufacturing, Services Weaken in July 
Asian Stocks Tumble as Tech Selloff Deepens Ahead of Fed Decision, Big Tech Earnings 
Oil Prices Ease After Sharp Rally as Trump Warns of More Action Against Iran 
Gold prices edged lower during Asian trading on Friday, but the precious metal remained on track to post its first monthly gain since February as investors balanced easing inflation concerns against uncertainty surrounding the Iran conflict and the outlook for U.S. interest rates.
Spot gold slipped 0.3% to $4,089.63 an ounce, while gold futures declined 0.2% to $4,090.70 per ounce. Despite the modest pullback, spot gold was still up roughly 2.1% for July, ending a string of monthly losses driven by fears that elevated oil prices would keep inflation high and force central banks to maintain a hawkish stance.
Investor sentiment improved after U.S. core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure, came in softer than expected for June. The data eased concerns that policymakers would need to raise interest rates immediately, providing support for non-yielding assets such as gold.
Meanwhile, reports that Iran and Oman were engaged in discussions over the Strait of Hormuz also helped calm market nerves. The prospect of reduced geopolitical tensions weighed on oil prices, lowering fears of renewed inflationary pressure from energy markets.
Earlier this week, the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged, as widely expected. However, Fed Chair Kevin Warsh avoided giving a clear signal on the timing of future policy moves, while reaffirming the central bank's commitment to returning inflation to its 2% target. Despite softer inflation data, core PCE remains above that goal, and markets continue to expect at least one additional rate hike before the end of the year.
A weaker U.S. dollar also supported the broader metals market after the Japanese yen surged on reports of another intervention by Japanese authorities in currency markets.
Among precious metals, platinum outperformed with a 5.2% gain in July and a 2.6% weekly advance. Silver remained largely unchanged for the month but was modestly higher for the week. Copper prices also strengthened, supported by dollar weakness, expectations of tighter supply, and improving industrial demand, with both London Metal Exchange and COMEX copper futures posting solid monthly gains.
