Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
Gold prices surged to an unprecedented level above $5,500 an ounce on Wednesday evening, extending their strong upward momentum amid escalating geopolitical tensions and growing demand for safe-haven assets. The rally was driven largely by reports that U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a major new military strike on Iran, according to CNN, heightening uncertainty across global financial markets.
Spot gold climbed more than 1% to reach a record high of $5,595.41 per ounce, while April gold futures peaked at $5,625.89 per ounce. The sharp move underscored investors’ preference for physical assets such as gold during periods of political instability, especially as concerns mounted over U.S. foreign policy and potential conflict in the Middle East. A weaker U.S. dollar further supported bullion prices, making gold more attractive to international buyers.
According to the CNN report, President Trump is weighing airstrikes targeting Iranian leadership and security officials accused of violently suppressing nationwide protests, as well as additional attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities. This follows stalled negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program and missile development. Trump had earlier warned that any future U.S. military action would be significantly more severe than the mid-2025 strikes on Iran’s key nuclear sites.
The situation has been exacerbated by the recent deployment of U.S. naval forces to the Middle East and Iran’s pledge to retaliate against any further attacks. These developments have amplified geopolitical risk, a major catalyst behind gold’s historic rally. Broader tensions involving the U.S., including a recent incursion in Venezuela and earlier rhetoric regarding Greenland, have also bolstered demand for safe-haven assets.
Meanwhile, other precious metals struggled to keep pace. Silver and platinum prices cooled after reaching record highs earlier in the week, lagging behind gold’s continued ascent. Gold prices appeared largely unaffected by the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged, as geopolitical concerns outweighed monetary policy factors.
With uncertainty dominating global markets, gold’s role as a store of value remains firmly in focus for investors worldwide.
