South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Asian Stocks Slide as Nikkei Leads Losses on Tech Selloff and Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Gold prices edged lower in Asian trade on Monday, weighed down by a stronger U.S. dollar, even as heightened geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran supported safe-haven demand. Spot gold dipped 0.1% to $3,427.78 per ounce, while August gold futures fell 0.2% to $3,446.45.
Last week, gold surged nearly 4% after Israel launched strikes on Iranian targets, including nuclear sites, prompting Iran to retaliate with missile attacks on major Israeli cities like Tel Aviv. Some missiles bypassed Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, intensifying fears of broader regional conflict. The weekend violence led Iran to cancel scheduled nuclear talks with the U.S., further reducing hopes for diplomatic de-escalation. U.S. President Donald Trump noted his administration was working on a resolution but also stated the two nations might have to “fight it out,” hinting at prolonged hostilities.
Despite strong safe-haven demand, the dollar's resilience ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting this week capped further gold gains. The dollar rose 0.1%, supported by investor positioning before the Fed's expected decision to keep interest rates steady. Market attention now turns to Chair Jerome Powell’s comments, particularly regarding rate trajectory amid slowing inflation and economic growth.
In broader metals trading, silver futures dropped 0.3% to $26.26 per ounce, while platinum extended gains, rising nearly 1% to $1,224.00—its highest in over four years. Industrial metals were also under pressure, with London copper futures down 0.1% at $9,627.75 a ton and U.S. copper futures falling 0.4% to $4.7972 per pound.
The ongoing Middle East conflict and the Fed’s outlook remain key drivers for precious metal markets this week.
