Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
ASX Proposes New Share Dilution Limits for Public Takeovers 
Asian Stocks Advance as Nikkei Nears Record High Ahead of Fed Decision 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Fed Decision and US-Iran Deal Details 
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.
