US Stock Futures Recover as Iran Signals Progress in Peace Talks 
Japan Keeps Markets Guessing as Yen Nears 40-Year Low, Raising Intervention Risks 
US Dollar Hits One-Year High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Overshadows Middle East Developments 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rates Unchanged for 13th Straight Month as Policymakers Prioritize Credit Demand Recovery 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
France Faces Long Road to Economic Rebalancing as Weak Demand and High Rates Weigh, Says Citi 
Japan, U.S. Discuss Yen Weakness as Currency Intervention Concerns Grow 
South Korea Stocks Tumble as AI-Fueled Rally Faces Profit-Taking Pressure 
Yen Near 40-Year Low as USD/JPY Approaches Key 162 Level, Raising Intervention Concerns 
Japan Manufacturing Growth Accelerates in June as Orders Surge Despite Iran War Cost Pressures 
New Zealand Fast-Tracks Gold Mining as Industry Revival Gains Momentum 
100+ Global Companies Push Governments to Prioritize Electrification for Economic Growth 
Russian Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low; Gold Falls and Oil Mixed 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Gold Prices Mixed as Stronger Dollar Offsets Safe-Haven Demand Amid U.S.-Iran Peace Talks 
Gold prices climbed in Asian trade on Friday, nearing record highs as investors sought safe-haven assets amid economic uncertainty. The metal is poised for strong weekly gains, driven by renewed U.S.-China trade tensions and a weaker dollar. Escalating geopolitical risks in the Middle East also bolstered gold’s appeal.
Spot gold rose 0.2% to $2,862.67 an ounce, while futures increased 0.3% to $2,884.81. The metal has gained 2.4% this week. Analysts at Citi and UBS raised their gold price forecasts for 2025, predicting a continued bull market. Citi expects gold to hit $3,000 in the short term, while UBS sees it reaching that level by year-end.
Gold remains strong ahead of the highly anticipated U.S. nonfarm payrolls report, which could impact Federal Reserve policy. A robust labor market could delay interest rate cuts, potentially weighing on gold’s long-term outlook. The Fed has signaled caution on rate adjustments due to persistent inflation and economic uncertainty.
Other precious metals also saw gains this week. Silver futures edged up to $32.678 an ounce, while platinum futures held steady at $1,021.65.
Copper prices advanced as traders bet on Chinese stimulus measures to counteract trade war effects. London Metal Exchange copper futures climbed 1.1% to $9,389.85 a ton, while March copper futures rose 0.6% to $4.4875 a pound. Beijing is expected to introduce economic support to mitigate the impact of U.S. tariffs, following Trump’s recent 10% duty on Chinese imports. Analysts at JPMorgan anticipate further tariff hikes, potentially escalating tensions.
Investors remain focused on key economic data and policy decisions that could shape market trends in the coming months.
