South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Gold prices advanced in Asian trading on Thursday, continuing a steady climb driven by persistent uncertainty surrounding the U.S. economic outlook. Despite U.S. lawmakers voting to end the nation’s longest-ever government shutdown, traders remained cautious, supporting renewed interest in safe-haven assets like gold.
Over the past week, gold has benefited from several weaker-than-expected U.S. labor market indicators, which initially strengthened expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in December. However, momentum eased in recent sessions as markets sharply reduced those rate-cut bets. Even so, ongoing central bank demand—particularly from China—has helped sustain bullion’s strength. Recent data revealed that the People’s Bank of China increased its gold reserves for the 12th consecutive month in September, reinforcing long-term confidence in the metal.
Spot gold rose 0.4% to $4,210.63 an ounce, while December gold futures hovered near $4,214.60. Analysts note that concerns over upcoming U.S. economic readings, likely to reflect the impact of the nearly 43-day shutdown, are also contributing to gold’s upward trend. President Donald Trump stated that the prolonged government halt cost the U.S. economy an estimated $1.5 trillion, adding to the uncertainty fueling safe-haven buying.
Other precious metals also saw gains, with spot silver jumping 1.7% to $54.1665 and platinum edging up 0.1% to $1,620.15. Despite traders lowering expectations for a December Fed rate cut—now projected at a 50.4% probability—metal markets remained supported by broader economic concerns.
Industrial metals followed suit, with copper prices strengthening on optimism surrounding the U.S. government’s reopening and renewed hopes for smoother business operations. Additional support came from China’s recent commitments to further economic stimulus under its new five-year plan, aiming to bolster industrial production and domestic growth. COMEX copper futures rose 0.7% to $5.1215 per pound, while benchmark LME copper gained 0.2% to $10,933.80 a ton.
Overall, gold and industrial metals appear poised to benefit from ongoing global economic uncertainty, central bank buying, and improving sentiment tied to both U.S. stability and China’s stimulus outlook.
