Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Gold prices dipped slightly in Asian trade on Wednesday but remained close to record highs as U.S. President Donald Trump threatened fresh trade tariffs on key imports. Markets also awaited signals on interest rates from the Federal Reserve’s upcoming minutes release.
Spot gold fell 0.2% to $2,929.02 an ounce, while April gold futures slipped 0.1% to $2,946.22. The precious metal has been rangebound as investors weigh haven demand against easing geopolitical concerns, particularly amid talks of a potential U.S.-brokered Russia-Ukraine peace deal.
Trump announced plans for a 25% tariff on automobile, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor imports, citing unfair trading practices. While auto tariffs could take effect as early as April, levies on drugs and chips are expected to be delayed. Investors appeared less reactive to the news, suggesting resilience to Trump’s tariff strategy. His recent postponement of tariffs on Canada and Mexico fueled hopes that these measures might serve as negotiation tactics rather than definitive policy shifts.
Global markets saw mixed reactions. Asian stocks registered minor losses, while U.S. stock futures edged higher. Other metals also declined—platinum futures dropped 1% to $1,000.95, silver futures slipped 0.1% to $33.325, and copper retreated 0.5% to $9,418.95 a ton amid profit-taking.
Market focus now turns to the Fed’s January meeting minutes. The central bank recently signaled a slower pace of rate cuts, citing inflation concerns. Upcoming speeches from Fed officials and key PMI data from major economies will provide further insights into economic conditions, potentially influencing gold and broader market sentiment.
