Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Gold prices edged lower in Asian trading on Thursday as risk appetite slightly improved following U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments that it was “highly unlikely” he would fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The reassurance tempered some market fears, reducing safe-haven demand and lifting U.S. equities.
Spot gold dipped 0.2% to $3,342.09 per ounce, while September gold futures fell 0.3% to $3,348.40. Despite the pullback, underlying demand for gold remained supported by persistent uncertainty surrounding Trump’s upcoming tariff plans, which are expected to be enacted in just over two weeks.
Broader precious metals also showed resilience. Platinum inched up to $1,424.55 per ounce, holding above the key $1,400 level, which analysts at ANZ said could indicate further strength. Spot silver gained 0.2% to $37.9945 per ounce. Copper prices were mixed, with LME benchmark futures steady at $9,629.75 per ton and COMEX copper rising slightly to $5.5267 per pound.
The U.S. dollar remained firm near a three-week high, buoyed by sticky inflation data that dampened expectations for near-term rate cuts. Both consumer and producer price indices for June came in hotter than anticipated, reinforcing bets that the Fed will hold interest rates steady at its next meeting. Upcoming U.S. retail sales and jobless claims data are expected to offer further clues on the economic outlook.
Trump’s ongoing criticism of Powell has fueled market anxiety, but his latest comments eased concerns slightly. Still, Trump warned that firing Powell could still be on the table if fraud is found in the Fed’s renovation project. Meanwhile, the Fed has signaled a cautious approach, awaiting further clarity on inflation impacts from Trump’s trade measures.
