US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
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European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
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S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
Gold prices declined on Monday as a strengthening U.S. dollar and persistent inflation concerns weighed heavily on the precious metal. Spot gold dropped 0.6% to $4,720.67 per ounce, while gold futures slid 0.9% to $4,743.20 per ounce, reflecting growing bearish sentiment among traders.
The selloff was largely driven by the breakdown of ceasefire negotiations between the United States and Iran. Weekend talks held in Pakistan failed to produce any meaningful de-escalation, with both sides at odds over nuclear activities, Iran's backing of regional militant groups, and control of the Strait of Hormuz. Following the collapse of negotiations, President Donald Trump announced a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports and vessels, set to take effect at 10:00 ET. Tehran swiftly rejected the move, raising fears of a broader military conflict.
The geopolitical fallout sent investors rushing into the U.S. dollar as a safe-haven asset, pushing the dollar index up roughly 0.4% and adding pressure on dollar-denominated commodities like gold. Other precious metals also felt the strain, with silver falling nearly 2% to $74.3975 per ounce and platinum edging lower to $2,047.06 per ounce.
Compounding gold's struggles was a sharp uptick in U.S. consumer price index data for March. Inflation climbed 3.3% year-over-year, a significant jump from February's 2.4% reading, largely fueled by rising energy costs linked to the ongoing conflict and restricted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. The hotter inflation print reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will hold interest rates steady for at least the next 12 months, according to CME FedWatch data. Since higher rates increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets, gold's appeal continues to diminish in the current environment.
Traders are now turning their attention to upcoming U.S. producer price index data, which could further shape the outlook for monetary policy and gold's near-term trajectory.
