Asian Currencies Weaken as Dollar Rebounds Amid Middle East Uncertainty and Japan Inflation Data 
Gold Prices Surge on U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Reports 
Oil Prices Plunge Over 6% as Middle East Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Fears 
Asian Markets Rally as Oil Prices Tumble and Middle East Peace Hopes Emerge 
Currency Markets Show Caution Amid U.S.-Iran Negotiations 
Bank of Japan Officials Signal Continued Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Concerns 
U.S. Oil Prices Slide as Middle East Ceasefire Talks Spark Market Optimism 
Bank of Japan Unveils New Inflation Gauge to Support Case for Future Rate Hikes 
Gold Prices Climb as Middle East Ceasefire Talks Stir Market Optimism 
Australia's Inflation Eases in February but Core Pressures Persist 
Oil Prices Rebound as Iran Denies U.S. Talks Amid Gulf War Supply Fears 
Wall Street Slides as Iran War Uncertainty, Oil Surge, and AI Fears Rattle Markets 
U.S. Futures Slide as Iran Denies Nuclear Talks with Washington 
Trump Tariffs Show Minimal Economic Impact but Boost Federal Revenue, Study Finds 
Iran-Israel Missile Strikes Continue Amid Mixed Signals on U.S.-Iran Diplomacy 
Gold prices edged higher on Monday in Asian trading as the U.S. dollar weakened, while uncertainty over trade tariffs and geopolitical tensions supported safe-haven demand. Spot gold gained 0.3% to $2,865.69 per ounce, while April gold futures climbed 0.9% to $2,873.59.
The U.S. dollar slipped 0.4%, retreating from a two-week high amid uncertainty surrounding additional tariffs. President Donald Trump confirmed a 10% tariff increase on China and reaffirmed 25% levies on Mexico and Canada. However, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that final tariff decisions would be made on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, stalled talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Trump raised concerns over prolonged geopolitical instability, further bolstering gold’s appeal. A weaker dollar also lifted other precious metals—platinum futures jumped 1.2% to $949.10, while silver futures climbed 0.7% to $31.73.
Economic data added to market speculation about future Federal Reserve policy. U.S. consumer sentiment dipped 0.2% in January, marking its first decline in nearly two years. The Atlanta Fed projected a 1.5% annualized economic growth rate for Q1 2025, down from 2.3% in the prior quarter. While expectations for rate cuts rose, inflation remained firm, with the Fed’s preferred PCE price index increasing 0.3% in January, the same as in December.
Copper prices saw modest gains, supported by a weaker dollar and strong manufacturing data from China. The Caixin PMI hit a three-month high, signaling better-than-expected factory activity. Benchmark copper futures on the London Metal Exchange edged up 0.3% to $9,985.70 per ton, while April copper futures hovered at $4.5595 per pound.
