China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Gold Prices Fall as US-Iran Conflict, Rising Oil Prices Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Gold prices climbed sharply on Monday as easing tensions between the United States and Iran pushed oil prices lower, while investors continued to assess the impact of inflation and future interest rate expectations on the precious metal market.
Spot gold rose 1.2% to $4,562 per ounce, while gold futures gained 0.9% to trade at $4,596.51 per ounce. The rally came after reports suggested that Washington and Tehran had reached a preliminary framework aimed at ending their prolonged conflict, which has disrupted global energy markets for weeks.
According to reports citing an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson, both countries have made progress on several issues, although a final agreement has not yet been officially confirmed. One key point of discussion involves the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route responsible for transporting nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply.
Recent tensions in the region had significantly reduced tanker traffic through the strait, causing crude oil prices to spike above $100 per barrel and fueling global inflation concerns. However, hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough triggered a sharp decline in oil prices, with Brent crude futures falling 5% to $95.23 per barrel on Monday.
Despite the drop in oil prices, analysts believe inflation risks remain elevated. Investors increasingly expect central banks to keep interest rates higher for longer to combat energy-related inflation pressures. Higher interest rates generally reduce the appeal of non-yielding assets such as gold.
Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar remained relatively strong as traders viewed the American economy as better positioned to withstand energy market disruptions due to its status as a major energy exporter. A stronger dollar can limit gains in gold prices by making the metal more expensive for international buyers.
The dollar index slipped slightly on Monday, offering some support to gold and helping bullion maintain strong upward momentum in global markets.
