Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Dollar Eases as Middle East Conflict, Fed Outlook and Japan Pension Policy Drive FX Markets 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
Gold prices climbed sharply during early Asian trading on Wednesday, moving back toward key psychological levels as renewed geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran revived safe-haven demand. The rebound follows a volatile period for the yellow metal, which saw steep losses last week but has since attracted strong dip-buying interest from investors.
Spot gold rose around 0.9% to trade near $4,995 an ounce, while April gold futures jumped more than 1.5%, crossing above the $5,000 mark. The recovery came after gold suffered a dramatic sell-off of over $1,000 last week, triggered largely by a stronger U.S. dollar and profit-taking after prices surged to a record high close to $5,600 per ounce. Despite the recent pullback, gold remains up nearly 15% so far in 2026, underscoring the strength of its broader uptrend.
Market sentiment shifted after reports suggested rising tensions in the Middle East. According to overnight developments, the U.S. military shot down an Iranian drone over the Arabian Sea, while Iranian gunboats were reportedly seen approaching a tanker linked to U.S. interests in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. These incidents raised fresh concerns over regional stability, offsetting earlier optimism surrounding planned nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran later this week.
Previously, gold prices had been pressured by expectations that U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee for Federal Reserve chair, Kevin Warsh, could adopt a less dovish monetary policy stance than markets anticipated. That outlook strengthened the U.S. dollar, weighing on precious metals and prompting investors to lock in profits. However, the resurgence in geopolitical risk has helped restore gold’s appeal as a hedge against uncertainty.
Other precious metals also moved higher, with silver and platinum extending their recoveries. Analysts note that the underlying fundamentals supporting gold prices remain intact, including sustained central bank buying, robust physical demand, and persistent geopolitical and macroeconomic risks. As global uncertainty lingers, gold and precious metals are likely to remain firmly in focus for investors seeking stability and diversification.
