Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Stronger Dollar Weighs, Yen Supported by GPIF Repatriation Hopes 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Asia Stocks Slip as Iran-Hormuz Tensions Lift Oil Prices, Dollar and Bond Yields 
Gold Prices Fall as US-Iran Conflict, Rising Oil Prices Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
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 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Dollar Rises as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation and Rate Hike Fears 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Gold prices moved slightly higher during early Asian trading on Wednesday as investors closely watched ongoing peace negotiations between the United States and Iran. Despite recent geopolitical tensions, bullion continued to trade within a narrow range, reflecting cautious market sentiment and uncertainty over the broader economic outlook.
Spot gold increased 0.2% to $4,518.06 per ounce, while gold futures gained 0.3% to reach $4,550.32 per ounce. Over the past 10 days, gold prices have fluctuated between $4,400 and $4,600 an ounce as traders assessed conflicting developments surrounding the Iran conflict and its impact on global markets.
On Tuesday, gold prices briefly weakened after the U.S. military launched strikes on targets in southern Iran. However, investors remain focused on the possibility of further instability in the Middle East, which traditionally supports safe-haven assets such as gold.
At the same time, inflation concerns linked to rising energy costs have limited stronger gains in precious metals. Recent inflation data from March and April pointed to a surge in energy-driven price pressures, increasing expectations that major central banks could raise interest rates in the coming months.
Higher interest rates generally reduce the appeal of non-yielding assets like gold. According to CME FedWatch data, markets are currently pricing in nearly a 40% chance that the U.S. Federal Reserve will implement another interest rate hike before the end of the year.
Other precious metals showed mixed performance during Wednesday’s session. Spot silver rose 0.2% to $77.1055 per ounce, while spot platinum declined 0.7% to $1,953.19 per ounce.
Investors are expected to continue monitoring developments in the Iran situation, inflation trends, and Federal Reserve policy signals for further direction in gold and broader commodity markets.
