China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Gold prices slipped more than 1% in Asian trading on Wednesday after the U.S. announced measures to soften the impact of auto tariffs and affirmed ongoing trade talks with China. Spot gold dropped 1.1% to $3,308.93 per ounce, while June gold futures fell 0.8% to $3,322.55 per ounce.
The Trump administration said it would ease tariffs on foreign auto parts used in domestically manufactured cars, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Additionally, U.S. Secretary Bessent noted that many countries had made "very good" tariff proposals and confirmed ongoing communication with China, helping ease concerns about escalating U.S.-China trade tensions.
Gold, which recently hit record highs, typically benefits from economic uncertainty, geopolitical risks, and inflation concerns. However, improved trade sentiment weighed on demand for safe-haven assets.
Among other metals, silver futures fell 0.4% to $32.862 per ounce, while platinum futures remained flat at $993.20 per ounce.
Investors are now closely watching key U.S. economic data releases this week, including the March JOLTS job openings report, first-quarter GDP figures, April jobs data, and the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, the PCE price index. These indicators are expected to heavily influence the Fed’s interest rate policy outlook.
Copper prices stayed subdued amid cautious sentiment. London Metal Exchange benchmark copper was steady at $9,392.20 per ton, while May copper futures slipped 0.8% to $4.8620 per pound. Meanwhile, Chinese policymakers promised support for businesses impacted by tariffs but held back from introducing new stimulus measures, leaving market participants awaiting further policy clarity.
