China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Gold Prices Stabilize as Demand for Safe Haven Assets Grows
Gold prices saw a slight increase in Asian trading on Thursday, recovering from recent lows but still below record highs due to ongoing anxiety surrounding the U.S. presidential election and shifting interest rate expectations favoring the dollar.
Despite Wednesday’s declines, gold continues to trade higher for the week, supported by strong safe-haven demand. As of 00:23 ET (04:23 GMT), spot gold rose 0.3% to $2,724.70 an ounce, while December gold futures increased by the same margin to $2,737.15 an ounce. Earlier this week, spot prices reached a peak of $2,758.53 an ounce.
Safe Haven Demand Drives Gold Prices
The yellow metal maintains its strength as geopolitical tensions and domestic political uncertainty keeps investors wary. Harsh rhetoric from Israeli officials regarding Iran has heightened fears of potential escalations in the ongoing conflict, while tensions continue between Israel and Hamas.
In the U.S., Republican nominee Donald Trump is perceived to be gaining an advantage over Vice President Kamala Harris just weeks before the election, leading to a climate of uncertainty that favors safe haven assets like gold.
Broader Market Trends in Precious Metals
The strengthening of haven demand has helped gold and other precious metals withstand the dollar's gains, supported by expectations of slower interest rate cuts. Other precious metals also recorded gains, with platinum futures up 0.7% to $1,037.80 an ounce and silver futures rising 0.6% to $34.050 an ounce.
Industrial Metals Update: Copper Prices Rise
In the industrial metals sector, copper prices rose by 0.7% to $9,581.50 a ton, while December futures climbed to $4.3637 a pound. Market attention is now focused on upcoming purchasing managers index reports from the U.S. and Eurozone, with traders looking for indications of potential fiscal stimulus in China.
