US Stock Futures Mixed as Strong Jobs Data Boosts Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Japanese Yen Nears Seven-Month High as Oil Approaches $100 
China Exports Surge 25% in August as Trade Surplus Hits $119 Billion 
Brent Oil Tops $100 as Middle East Conflict Threatens Supply 
Japan, U.S. Stay Aligned on Yen as Currency Surges 
China Inflation Accelerates in August as CPI, PPI Rise 
Gold Prices Rebound as Dollar Weakens, Fed Decision Looms 
US Stock Futures Mixed as Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
UK Food Inflation Forecast to Hit 6.4% by Mid-2027 
European Stocks Flat as Iran Tensions, ECB Rate Hike Loom 
Iran Vows Tougher Response as U.S. Sanctions Squeeze Economy 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Yen Rallies on BOJ Bets 
Hormuz Shipping Slows as Iran Threats Lift Oil Risks 
China to Inject $45 Billion Into State Financial Institutions 
Gold Prices Rise as Yen Rally Weakens Dollar 
China Boosts Gold Reserves by 650,000 Ounces as Prices Rally 
UK House Prices Fall for First Time Since 2023 
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Gold prices edged higher on Friday after two days of steep losses, supported by investor caution ahead of U.S.-China trade talks and mixed signals from the new U.S.-U.K. trade framework. Spot gold rose 0.4% to $3,320.95 per ounce, while June gold futures gained 0.5% to $3,329.24 as of 05:44 GMT. Despite recent volatility, the yellow metal is poised for a weekly gain of over 2%, reflecting lingering uncertainty in global markets.
Earlier in the Asian session, gold slipped on optimism surrounding easing trade tensions. However, doubts remain over the broader impact of the U.K. trade agreement, especially with the U.S. maintaining a 10% tariff on British imports. In response, the U.K. reduced its tariff rate to 1.8% from 5.1%. President Donald Trump confirmed the deal on Thursday and hinted at substantive upcoming negotiations with China, scheduled for the weekend.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized that more trade deals are expected but reiterated the administration’s intent to uphold the 10% blanket tariff. ING analysts expressed skepticism that the U.K. deal would spark wider trade de-escalation, noting that only progress with China could significantly impact global trade dynamics.
A weaker U.S. dollar also supported gold prices by making the metal more attractive to international buyers. Meanwhile, silver futures held steady at $32.653 an ounce, and platinum rose 0.5% to $986.55.
In base metals, copper prices dipped despite resilient Chinese trade data. London copper futures fell 0.4% to $9,395.20 a ton, while July copper contracts on U.S. exchanges dropped 1.4% to $4.540 a pound, reflecting cautious sentiment ahead of trade talks with Beijing.
