Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
Gold prices held steady in Asian trade on Wednesday, trading within a narrow range as investor sentiment improved on speculation over upcoming talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Spot gold remained flat at $3,353.71 an ounce, while August gold futures edged to $3,377.72 by 00:51 ET (04:51 GMT).
Despite a slight boost in risk appetite, demand for safe-haven assets like gold remained resilient due to ongoing uncertainty in the U.S. economy. Market caution persisted after Trump doubled tariffs on steel and aluminum, and concerns were further heightened by a breakdown in U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations and escalating military tension between Russia and Ukraine. Notably, a Ukrainian underwater attack on a key Russian bridge to Crimea added to geopolitical stress.
Although hopes for renewed U.S.-China trade talks have slightly dampened demand for gold, the metal continues to attract strong bids amid skepticism over a lasting trade agreement. Gold prices are up nearly 2% this week, underlining persistent investor caution.
Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar regained some strength, supported by upcoming nonfarm payroll data and expectations that the Federal Reserve will hold interest rates steady. A firmer dollar typically weighs on metal prices, but some resilience was seen across the board. Platinum futures rose 0.4% to $1,079.40 per ounce, while silver futures held at $34.618.
Copper prices also saw modest gains, buoyed by optimism that improving U.S.-China relations could ease economic pressure on China, the world’s largest copper consumer. London Metal Exchange copper futures rose 0.2% to $9,643.10 a ton, while U.S. copper futures matched the rise at $4.8750 per pound.
