Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low; Gold Falls and Oil Mixed 
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Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
France Faces Long Road to Economic Rebalancing as Weak Demand and High Rates Weigh, Says Citi 
Asian Currencies Stabilize as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High After Fed Hawkish Signal 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rates Unchanged for 13th Straight Month as Policymakers Prioritize Credit Demand Recovery 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Russian Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
100+ Global Companies Push Governments to Prioritize Electrification for Economic Growth 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Gold prices declined in Asian trading on Wednesday, pressured by improving US-China trade relations and weaker-than-expected US inflation data. Spot gold dropped 0.7% to $3,228.95 per ounce, while June gold futures fell 0.5% to $3,232.24 per ounce.
The decline follows the release of US Consumer Price Index (CPI) data on Tuesday, which came in below expectations, reducing fears of runaway inflation. Lower inflation readings typically dampen the appeal of gold, a traditional hedge against rising prices.
Market sentiment was further boosted after the US and China agreed on Monday to temporarily reduce tariffs to 30% and 10%, respectively, for a 90-day period. The easing of trade tensions lessened global recession concerns and shifted investor interest toward risk assets. US President Donald Trump also indicated he may personally engage with Chinese President Xi Jinping to finalize a trade deal, adding to optimism.
Despite the positive trade developments, some investors remained cautious, wary of a possible inflation rebound once tariffs are reinstated. This uncertainty over future Federal Reserve rate decisions weighed on bullion, which tends to perform better in low-interest environments due to lower opportunity costs.
The US Dollar Index remained largely flat during Asian trading hours, offering little support for gold prices.
Other precious metals also saw mixed movement. Silver futures declined 0.6% to $32.915 per ounce, while platinum futures gained 0.5% to $995.45 per ounce.
Copper prices inched higher, supported by hopes that trade de-escalation would boost demand from China, the world’s largest copper consumer. Benchmark copper futures on the London Metal Exchange rose 0.2% to $9,623.65 per ton, while July copper futures added 0.1% to $4.7125 per pound, with traders awaiting key US Producer Price Index (PPI) data for further inflation cues.
