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UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
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Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
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Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Gold prices climbed in Asian trading on Thursday, supported by growing safe-haven demand amid ongoing concerns about U.S. debt levels and rising geopolitical risks. Spot gold rose 0.7% to $3,338.04 an ounce, while June gold futures gained 0.8% to $3,339.20 by early morning hours.
The precious metal remained strong after reports indicated Israel is prepared to strike Iran if nuclear talks with the U.S. falter. Although upcoming negotiations between Washington and Tehran helped ease immediate war concerns, markets remained cautious.
A key driver of gold’s rally this week has been investor anxiety over mounting U.S. debt. Moody’s recently downgraded the U.S. credit rating, citing fiscal risks, while Treasury yields spiked and demand for government bonds weakened. The U.S. Treasury’s $16 billion auction of 20-year notes on Wednesday saw soft interest.
Further pressure came from a Republican-supported tax cut and spending bill headed for a House vote. Analysts warn that expanded border security and defense spending, combined with tax reductions, could worsen the country’s debt outlook. Additionally, uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s trade policies continues to weigh on investor sentiment, adding to gold’s appeal.
A weaker U.S. dollar also helped lift other precious metals. Platinum futures rose 0.4% to $1,082.20 an ounce, and silver futures climbed 0.7% to $33.873.
Copper prices also advanced, driven by expectations of economic stimulus from China. London copper futures edged up 0.2% to $9,545.50 a ton, while U.S. copper futures surged 1.3% to $4.7175 a pound. Traders are optimistic after China cut its loan prime rate this week, signaling further support for economic growth and boosting hopes for stronger copper demand.
