China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
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 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Gold prices rose in European trading on Tuesday, rebounding after a sharp pullback from near record highs in the previous session, as year-end profit-taking eased and renewed geopolitical tensions boosted safe-haven demand. Spot gold climbed 0.9% to around $4,369 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures for February delivery gained about 1% to trade near $4,385 per ounce.
The precious metal had surged to an all-time high above $4,549 per ounce late last week before retreating on Monday, as traders locked in profits amid thin year-end liquidity. Despite the short-term correction, gold remains one of the strongest-performing assets this year, supported by a weaker U.S. dollar, elevated inflation concerns, and persistent global uncertainty.
Geopolitical risks continued to underpin gold prices. Comments from Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding a potential shift in Russia’s negotiating stance on Ukraine added to uncertainty around the conflict, sustaining demand for safe-haven assets. Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East also weighed on market sentiment after U.S. President Donald Trump warned that the United States could launch new strikes against Iran if it attempts to rebuild its nuclear program. In Asia, risk appetite was further tested as China conducted large-scale live-fire military exercises around Taiwan.
Expectations of future monetary easing by the Federal Reserve have also been supportive for bullion. Markets are increasingly pricing in additional interest rate cuts in 2026, which would lower the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold. Investors are now closely watching the release of the latest Federal Reserve meeting minutes, which may provide further clues on the outlook for inflation, economic growth, and interest rates.
Other precious metals also rebounded after steep losses. Silver prices jumped more than 3% to around $74.50 per ounce after falling sharply from record highs, while platinum rose nearly 3% following a heavy sell-off. U.S. copper futures also advanced, reflecting a broader recovery across the metals market as investors reassessed recent declines.
Overall, while short-term volatility persists, the underlying fundamentals for gold and precious metals remain supportive amid ongoing geopolitical risks and an accommodative long-term monetary outlook.
