Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Gold prices declined during Asian trading on Thursday, pulling back from three consecutive record-high sessions as easing geopolitical tensions and reassurance over U.S. monetary policy reduced safe-haven demand. Spot gold fell 0.8% to $4,588.55 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures edged down 0.3% to $4,594.10 by early Asian hours. The pullback came after gold reached an all-time high of $4,642.72 per ounce in the previous session, driven by heightened global uncertainty.
The broader precious metals market saw steeper losses, with silver prices plunging nearly 6% to $87.74 per ounce and platinum falling 4% to $2,309.52. The sharp declines reflected profit-taking after a strong rally that pushed prices well above key technical levels, prompting traders to lock in gains.
Gold’s recent surge had been fueled by fears that escalating unrest in Iran could lead to U.S. military involvement and destabilize the Middle East, alongside concerns about political pressure on the U.S. Federal Reserve. However, sentiment shifted after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a softer stance on Iran, stating that he had been assured Iranian authorities would curb violence against protesters and that there were no plans for large-scale executions. These comments reduced expectations of an immediate U.S. response, easing geopolitical risk premiums that had supported gold prices.
Additional pressure came after Trump sought to calm markets regarding the Federal Reserve. In comments to Reuters, he said he had no intention of firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell, despite ongoing scrutiny, helping ease investor concerns about the central bank’s independence and future policy direction.
Despite the decline, gold remains supported by expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts later this year, ongoing geopolitical risks, and strong central bank demand. Lower interest rates typically boost gold prices by reducing the opportunity cost of holding the non-yielding asset, suggesting that bullion could remain resilient even after the latest pullback.
