China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
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.
