Asian Stocks Slide as Nikkei Leads Losses on Tech Selloff and Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike 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 Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
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.
