Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Asian Stocks Advance as Nikkei Nears Record High Ahead of Fed Decision 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Fed Decision and US-Iran Deal Details 
German Auto Suppliers Turn Bearish as Investment and Jobs Shift Overseas 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Oil Prices Ease as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Peace Deal and Strait of Hormuz Reopening 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
ASX Proposes New Share Dilution Limits for Public Takeovers 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
Gold prices moved higher in Asian trading on Friday, extending gains for a third consecutive session as investors reacted to escalating U.S.-Iran tensions and positioned themselves ahead of key U.S. inflation data. Despite the recent rebound driven by safe-haven demand, bullion remained on track for a weekly decline as a stronger U.S. dollar and hawkish Federal Reserve signals limited upside momentum.
Spot gold climbed 0.4% to $5,017.85 per ounce by 01:17 ET (06:17 GMT), while U.S. gold futures advanced 0.8% to $5,036.50. Even with mid-week gains fueled by geopolitical concerns, the precious metal was set to post a weekly loss of nearly 0.6%. Earlier in the week, optimism surrounding potential diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran reduced market anxiety, weighing on gold. However, renewed geopolitical uncertainty later supported prices.
Trading volumes remained relatively light as Chinese markets were closed for the Lunar New Year holidays, leading to thinner liquidity across commodity markets.
Heightened diplomatic tensions continued to underpin gold prices. U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Iran must enter negotiations over its nuclear program within 10 to 15 days or face unspecified consequences, raising fears of possible military escalation in the Middle East. Such developments could disrupt global oil supplies and increase volatility across financial markets, boosting demand for safe-haven assets like gold.
Nevertheless, gains were capped by a stronger U.S. dollar. The U.S. Dollar Index was on track for its strongest weekly performance in months, rising more than 1%. A firm dollar typically pressures gold, as it makes the non-yielding metal more expensive for holders of other currencies. Additionally, Federal Reserve meeting minutes signaled a cautious stance on interest rate cuts, dampening expectations for near-term monetary easing.
Investors are now closely watching the release of the U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge. The PCE data could provide fresh direction for gold prices and broader commodity markets.
Other metals also edged higher. Silver gained 0.4% to $78.80 per ounce, platinum rose 0.4% to $2,089.65, and copper prices ticked up on both the London Metal Exchange and in U.S. futures trading.
