Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Yen Near 40-Year Lows Despite BOJ Rate Hike, Markets Brace for Possible Intervention 
Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene as USD/JPY Nears 161 Amid Yen Weakness 
Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Fed Decision and US-Iran Deal Details 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Oil Prices Ease as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Peace Deal and Strait of Hormuz Reopening 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
Asian Stocks Advance as Nikkei Nears Record High Ahead of Fed Decision 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
German Auto Suppliers Turn Bearish as Investment and Jobs Shift Overseas 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
Gold prices fell sharply during Asian trading on Monday, hitting their lowest level in nearly one and a half months as rising global bond yields and escalating tensions between the United States and Iran weakened investor demand for precious metals. The decline reflects growing concerns that prolonged geopolitical conflict could fuel inflation and keep interest rates elevated for longer.
Spot gold dropped 1.3% to $4,483.67 per ounce by 20:44 ET (00:44 GMT), hovering near levels last seen in late March. Gold futures also slipped 1.7% to $4,484.82 per ounce. The downturn in the gold market came as government bond yields surged across major economies, reducing the appeal of non-yielding assets such as gold.
U.S. 10-year Treasury yields climbed to a one-month high, while Japan’s 10-year government bond yields touched their highest level in nearly three decades. Investors increasingly expect that rising energy prices linked to Middle East tensions could trigger stronger inflationary pressures worldwide. As a result, markets are anticipating more aggressive monetary policies and higher interest rates from central banks.
Higher interest rates typically hurt gold prices because they increase the opportunity cost of holding bullion compared to interest-bearing investments. The stronger U.S. dollar also added pressure on precious metals, making gold more expensive for international buyers.
Other metals also moved lower during the session. Spot silver declined 1.9% to $74.5840 per ounce, while platinum eased 0.3% to $1,972.05 per ounce.
Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions remain elevated after U.S. President Donald Trump warned that time was running out for Tehran to agree to a peace deal. Reports suggest the United States and Israel are considering renewed military action against Iran as diplomatic negotiations continue to stall. Investors are closely monitoring developments in the Middle East, as further escalation could significantly impact inflation, energy markets, and global financial stability in 2026.
