US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
Gold prices slipped in Asian trading on Monday, retreating from record highs amid signs of easing U.S.-China trade tensions. Spot gold dropped 0.8% to $3,292.75 per ounce by 01:54 ET (05:54 GMT), while June gold futures edged up 0.2% to $3,303.77 per ounce.
Market sentiment shifted after media reports indicated China exempted certain U.S. imports from its retaliatory 125% tariffs. President Donald Trump said last week that tariff negotiations were underway and that he had spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later contradicted Trump, saying he was unaware of any ongoing talks, while Chinese officials also denied recent discussions.
Investors remained cautious ahead of a key batch of U.S. economic data this week, including April’s jobs report, first-quarter GDP figures, and the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, the PCE price index. These indicators will likely influence expectations for future interest rate moves as the Fed maintains a cautious stance amid global uncertainty. The U.S. Dollar Index was little changed on Monday.
In other metals, silver futures slipped 0.6% to $32.807 per ounce, while platinum futures rose 0.5% to $977.55 per ounce.
Copper prices also edged lower, with London Metal Exchange copper futures falling 0.2% to $9,389.0 a ton and May copper futures declining 0.4% to $4.8737 per pound. However, hopes for additional economic stimulus from China, the world’s largest copper importer, helped limit losses. Chinese media reported that Beijing remains confident in achieving its 5% annual growth target, potentially boosting demand for industrial metals.
