Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Gold prices edged higher in Asian trade on Friday, supported by renewed safe haven demand after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 35% tariff on Canada starting August 1. The move, which exceeded previous threats and surprised Ottawa amid thawing trade relations, triggered risk-off sentiment across markets. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East also helped lift demand for havens like gold and the Japanese yen.
Spot gold rose 0.5% to $3,341.27 an ounce, while gold futures for September gained 0.9% to $3,354.60. Despite Friday’s gains, gold remained range-bound between $3,300 and $3,500, pressured by a stronger dollar and ongoing speculation over the U.S. interest rate outlook.
Silver and platinum continued to outperform gold, posting strong weekly gains. Silver futures rose 2.2% to $38.14 an ounce, marking their highest level in nearly 14 years and a third consecutive week of gains. Platinum futures gained 0.3% to $1,420.25, nearing an 11-year high and extending their weekly win streak to six, driven by tight supply concerns and bullish industry forecasts.
In industrial metals, copper prices pulled back after recent highs. COMEX copper futures slipped 1.2% to $5.5620 per pound following profit-taking, despite briefly hitting record levels earlier this week on Trump’s separate threat of a 50% tariff. London Metal Exchange benchmark copper was flat at $9,700.55 per ton.
Overall, while gold regained ground amid geopolitical and trade tensions, silver and platinum continued to shine brighter, fueled by bullish fundamentals and investor interest in alternative precious metals.
