US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
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 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
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 
South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
Gold prices surged on Friday, positioning the precious metal for strong February gains as investors sought safe-haven assets amid rising geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty. Spot gold climbed 1.5% to $5,261.81 per ounce, while April gold futures advanced 1.7% to $5,280.26 per ounce. For the month, spot gold is up more than 8%, rebounding sharply from early February lows near $4,404.12 per ounce after a brief speculative pullback.
The rally in gold prices has been fueled largely by escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. Washington increased its military presence in the Middle East and warned of possible action if Tehran failed to agree to a nuclear deal. Although recent talks ended without an agreement, both sides signaled further discussions, sustaining uncertainty and supporting bullion demand.
Concerns over the U.S. economy have also strengthened gold’s appeal. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down most of President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs added volatility to financial markets. Trump’s response—announcing new tariffs under a different legal framework—has heightened fears of further economic disruption, keeping investors cautious. Equity market sell-offs, particularly around shifting expectations for artificial intelligence growth, have also prompted portfolio reallocation into gold-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and physical gold.
Institutional demand remains a major driver. According to Bernstein, strong central bank purchases and rising ETF inflows could push gold to $4,800 per ounce in 2026 and as high as $6,100 by 2030. Surveys indicate that 95% of central banks expect global gold reserves to increase over the next year, with many planning to reduce U.S. dollar exposure.
Meanwhile, other precious metals also posted solid February gains. Silver rose nearly 11% this month, platinum gained over 12%, and copper prices edged higher as Chinese demand showed signs of recovery following the Lunar New Year holiday.
