Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Gold prices edged lower during Asian trading on Thursday, retreating after modest gains in the previous session as investors continued monitoring escalating Middle East tensions threatening a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
Spot gold declined 0.3% to $4,704.96 per ounce, while U.S. Gold Futures dropped 1% to $4,731.84 per ounce. The previous session saw bullion briefly surge as much as 3% before settling just 0.3% higher, following news of a Pakistan-brokered two-week truce designed to halt hostilities and reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the temporary agreement, market confidence remained shaky. Continued Israeli military strikes on Lebanon cast serious doubt over the truce's durability, while Iranian officials stated that ongoing attacks made peace negotiations "unreasonable" under current conditions. Tehran warned that persistent military activity undermines trust and could derail diplomatic efforts altogether, highlighting deep divisions over how the ceasefire framework would be enforced.
Meanwhile, oil prices staged a modest recovery Thursday after tumbling sharply when the ceasefire was first announced. Since gold is traditionally considered a safe-haven asset, rising oil prices have added pressure by amplifying global inflation concerns, which reduces gold's relative appeal to investors seeking stability.
Attention is now turning to the U.S. March Consumer Price Index report due Friday. Analysts expect the data to reflect energy-driven price pressures still filtering through the broader economy following the recent oil shock. The figures are expected to offer clearer direction on the Federal Reserve's next monetary policy move, with markets anticipating a notable uptick in inflation.
The U.S. dollar steadied after a 0.7% decline in the prior session, limiting further upside for gold. Other precious metals also saw losses, with silver falling 1.3% to $73.16 per ounce and platinum slipping 0.9% to $2,011.14 per ounce.
