South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
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 
Dollar Rises as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation and Rate Hike Fears 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Stronger Dollar Weighs, Yen Supported by GPIF Repatriation Hopes 
Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage 
Gold Prices Fall as US-Iran Conflict, Rising Oil Prices Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Asia Stocks Slip as Iran-Hormuz Tensions Lift Oil Prices, Dollar and Bond Yields 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
Dollar Eases as Middle East Conflict, Fed Outlook and Japan Pension Policy Drive FX Markets 
Gold prices declined sharply on Thursday as a stronger U.S. dollar and rising inflation concerns increased expectations that the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates later this year. Investors also closely monitored geopolitical developments during President Donald Trump’s visit to China and the ongoing tensions involving Iran.
Spot gold dropped 0.9% to $4,652.46 per ounce, while gold futures slipped 1.1% to $4,655.35 per ounce. Other precious metals also recorded losses, with silver falling 4.8% and platinum declining 5.5%. Analysts noted that gold has struggled against the strengthening dollar and growing market expectations of tighter monetary policy in the United States.
Recent economic data added pressure on the gold market. U.S. consumer price index and producer price index reports both showed stronger-than-expected inflation levels, while April retail sales increased 0.5%, signaling that consumers are still spending despite higher prices. Rising oil prices linked to Middle East tensions have also contributed to inflation concerns across global markets.
Higher inflation has prompted traders to scale back expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts. According to market analysts, investors are now increasingly betting on additional rate hikes instead. Since gold does not generate interest, it often becomes less attractive when borrowing costs rise and the dollar strengthens.
Meanwhile, political and economic developments in China remained a major focus. President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly discussed trade, artificial intelligence, and Iran during their summit. Market sentiment improved after reports that several Chinese companies received approval to purchase Nvidia’s advanced H200 AI chips. Boeing shares also gained after Trump announced that China had agreed to purchase 200 aircraft from the U.S. aerospace giant.
Investors continue to monitor global inflation trends, U.S. monetary policy, oil prices, and geopolitical tensions, all of which are expected to influence gold prices and broader financial markets in the coming months.
