Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
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 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
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 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Gold prices advanced in Asian trading on Monday, staying close to last week’s all-time highs as optimism over further U.S. interest rate cuts lifted demand for bullion. Spot gold gained 0.3% to $3,697.70 an ounce, while gold futures rose 0.7% to $3,733.10 by 01:33 ET (05:33 GMT). Prices touched a record $3,707.70/oz last week.
The Federal Reserve’s 25 basis-point rate cut last week, aimed at offsetting rising labor market risks, fueled bullish sentiment for gold. The Fed signaled more cuts could follow if job market weakness persists, although policymakers still flagged potential inflationary risks from tariffs. Markets now expect at least another 50 bps of cuts this year, according to CME FedWatch. Lower rates generally support gold, a non-yielding asset, by reducing the opportunity cost of holding it.
A stronger dollar, however, limited gold’s upward momentum, as the greenback recovered from its weakest level in more than three-and-a-half years.
Other precious metals also strengthened. Spot silver rose 1.3% to $43.65/oz, while platinum climbed 0.8% to $1,419.90/oz. Industrial metals saw modest gains, with London copper futures up 0.1% at $10,001.10 a ton and COMEX copper futures rising 0.1% to $4.6315 per pound.
This week’s focus shifts to key U.S. economic data and commentary from Federal Reserve officials. Fed Chair Jerome Powell is scheduled to speak Tuesday, while Friday’s release of the PCE price index—the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge—is expected to show sticky price pressures. Core PCE inflation is forecast to remain above the Fed’s 2% target. Additional data, including September’s PMI readings and a final revision to Q2 GDP, will also guide market expectations for monetary policy.
