US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Asian Stocks Slide as Nikkei Leads Losses on Tech Selloff and Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
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.
