South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
Asian Currencies Strengthen as Indian Rupee and Australian Dollar Rally 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
Dollar Holds Firm as Strong U.S. Data, Fed Expectations and Global Central Bank Moves Shape Markets 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
Indian Rupee Strengthens Sharply After U.S.-India Trade Deal Announcement 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
South Korea Inflation Hits Five-Month Low as CPI Reaches Central Bank Target 
Oil Prices Steady as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength Caps Gains 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
Taiwan Urges Stronger Trade Ties With Fellow Democracies, Rejects Economic Dependence on China 
RBA Raises Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Gold prices edged higher in Asian trading Monday, recovering from a one-month low as a weaker U.S. dollar boosted demand, despite easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Spot gold rose 0.5% to $3,290.25 per ounce, while August gold futures gained 0.4% to $3,300.00 by 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT). The metal had slumped nearly 3% last week—its steepest drop since early May—wiping out prior gains tied to global conflicts and leaving it flat for the month.
The dollar’s decline, with the U.S. Dollar Index down 0.2% and hovering near a three-year low, made gold more attractive to foreign investors. Market expectations of a potential Federal Reserve rate cut by September further pressured the greenback, supporting bullion.
Risk appetite improved after U.S. President Donald Trump brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, reducing safe-haven inflows into gold. Optimism also grew following a U.S.–China trade agreement in Geneva, which eased rare-earth tensions and trade friction, and the launch of a U.S.–U.K. trade deal that cuts car tariffs and removes duties on aircraft parts.
Still, concerns linger over the upcoming July 9 deadline, which may trigger renewed tariffs on global steel, aluminum, and other imports if no agreements are reached.
Other metals also gained. Platinum futures jumped 1.9% to $1,377.00, putting the metal on track for a 30% monthly surge despite recent pullbacks. Silver held steady at $36.045 per ounce. Copper futures on the London Metal Exchange were flat at $9,888.95 per ton, while U.S. copper rose 0.7% to $5.132 per pound. Gains were tempered by weak Chinese manufacturing data, signaling softer demand from the world’s top copper importer.
