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 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
Gold prices dipped slightly on Monday, pulling back from record highs as global risk sentiment improved following partial tariff exemptions from the U.S. However, safe haven demand remained strong amid ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions and recession concerns. Spot gold edged down 0.3% to $3,225.79 per ounce, while June gold futures slipped 0.1% to $3,240.87. Despite the pullback, spot prices stayed close to last week’s record high of $3,245.69.
Markets welcomed news that some electronic goods would be excluded from President Donald Trump’s aggressive 145% tariffs on Chinese imports, boosting Asian stocks and U.S. futures. Major importers like Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) were seen benefiting. Still, Trump warned that electronics may soon face a 20% levy under separate measures, keeping investors cautious. China responded with 125% retaliatory tariffs and has begun seeking new trade partnerships, further escalating tensions.
Ongoing fears of disrupted supply chains and a potential U.S. recession—now priced at a 50% chance by traders—continue to support gold prices. A weaker dollar and falling Treasury yields also added to gold’s appeal as a hedge.
In metals trading, platinum futures rose 0.8% to $951.90/oz, while silver futures fell 0.3% to $31.827/oz. Copper on the London Metal Exchange held steady at $9,152.90 per ton.
Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) raised its 2025 gold price target to $3,700 per ounce, citing intensifying demand for safe haven assets amid economic uncertainty. The bank noted that in a severe scenario, gold could spike to $4,500 by year-end 2025, reinforcing bullion’s role as a recession hedge.
