Japan’s Nikkei Slides Over 2% as Alphabet Selloff Sparks AI Spending Concerns 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Tops $100, Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation Fears 
Singapore Central Bank’s Exchange Rate Policy Explained: Why MAS Uses the S$NEER Instead of Interest Rates 
Canada Vows Trade Fight as Trump Imposes 50% Tariffs 
Trump Says No Decision on Major Iran Strikes as U.S.-Tehran Talks Intensify 
Houthi Attacks on Saudi Oil Sites Raise Fears of Wider Middle East Conflict Despite U.S. Strike Pause 
Europe Economy Faces Recession Risk as Energy Costs and Weak Manufacturing Weigh on Growth 
European Stocks Flat as Oil Tops $100, Trump Tariffs Fuel Inflation Fears 
Oil Prices Plunge as U.S.-Iran Pause Eases Middle East Supply Fears 
Brent Oil Holds Above $100 as Red Sea Attacks, Iran Conflict Threaten Global Supply 
Gold Price Holds Weekly Gain as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Outlook Drive Market 
US Dollar Posts Best Weekly Gain in Over a Month as Middle East Tensions Boost Safe-Haven Demand 
BOJ Seen Holding Rates at 1% While Keeping Inflation Risk Warning 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Fed Decision, Earnings and Tariffs Keep Investors on Edge 
India to Continue U.S. Trade Talks After Trump Imposes 10% Import Tariff 
BOJ Expected to Hold Rates Steady While Signaling More Hikes Ahead 
Gold prices climbed in Asian trading on Monday as a weaker U.S. dollar boosted demand for the precious metal, while investors assessed easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and looked ahead to the Federal Reserve's closely watched policy meeting later this week.
Spot gold advanced 1% to $4,094.50 per ounce, while August U.S. gold futures gained 0.6% to $4,096.60. The precious metal also ended last week nearly 1% higher despite volatile trading, reflecting continued investor demand for safe-haven assets.
A 0.3% decline in the U.S. Dollar Index helped support gold by making dollar-denominated bullion more affordable for overseas buyers. The weaker greenback came as markets reacted to improving geopolitical conditions after the United States and Iran paused military operations over the weekend.
President Donald Trump halted U.S. airstrikes on Iranian targets late Friday following nearly two weeks of military action, allowing room for diplomatic negotiations. Iran also refrained from launching retaliatory attacks against neighboring countries hosting U.S. military bases, easing fears of a broader regional conflict.
The de-escalation triggered a sharp drop in oil prices, with crude falling more than 5% in early Monday trading after last week's rally fueled by concerns over potential supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. Lower energy prices could help ease inflation pressures, though investors remain cautious ahead of key central bank decisions.
Attention is now centered on the Federal Reserve's policy announcement scheduled for Wednesday. Markets broadly expect the Fed to keep interest rates unchanged, but investors will closely monitor comments from Chair Kevin Warsh for signals on the timing of future rate cuts and the central bank's outlook on inflation and economic growth.
Traders are also awaiting upcoming U.S. inflation and labor market data, which could provide further guidance on the Fed's monetary policy path in the coming months.
Elsewhere in the precious metals market, silver rose 2% to $59.37 per ounce, while platinum gained 1.6% to $1,618.83, reflecting broad strength across the sector as investors positioned ahead of the Fed meeting.
