Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
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 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Stronger Dollar Weighs, Yen Supported by GPIF Repatriation Hopes 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
Dollar Eases as Middle East Conflict, Fed Outlook and Japan Pension Policy Drive FX Markets 
Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage 
Gold prices saw a modest increase on Friday, supported by a weaker U.S. dollar and renewed geopolitical developments involving the United States and Iran. Despite this slight rebound, the precious metal remains on track for a weekly decline as rising oil prices fuel concerns about inflation and prolonged high interest rates.
Spot gold rose by 0.3% to close at $4,710.57 per ounce, while gold futures settled slightly higher at $4,725.40 per ounce. The uptick in gold prices was largely driven by a softer dollar, which typically enhances the appeal of dollar-denominated commodities like gold for international investors. As the greenback weakened, market participants shifted toward riskier assets such as equities, reducing demand for the dollar’s safe-haven status.
Investor sentiment improved after signals emerged that the U.S. and Iran are preparing for a second round of diplomatic talks. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed plans to visit key regional partners, including Pakistan, Oman, and Russia, to discuss bilateral and regional developments. Meanwhile, the White House announced that U.S. officials, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will travel to Pakistan for further negotiations. These developments boosted optimism in financial markets, contributing to the dollar’s decline and supporting gold prices.
However, gold’s overall performance this week has been weighed down by a sharp increase in oil prices. Benchmark crude contracts recorded their strongest weekly gains since early March, driven by escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing disputes between the U.S. and Iran. Higher oil prices have intensified fears of an inflationary surge, prompting expectations that central banks may maintain or even raise interest rates.
Since gold does not yield interest, it often underperforms in high-rate environments. Analysts warn that persistent geopolitical uncertainty and rising inflation pressures could continue to limit gold’s upside in the near term, keeping investors cautious despite short-term gains.
