Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Gold prices declined in Asian trading on Friday, with spot gold dropping 0.8% to $3,214.90 per ounce and June futures down 0.3% to $3,217.65. The precious metal is on track for its steepest weekly loss since November 2024, falling about 3.2% as easing tensions between the U.S. and China reduced demand for safe-haven assets.
The recent agreement between Washington and Beijing to temporarily lower trade tariffs boosted global risk appetite, prompting a rally in equities and risk-driven assets. This shift in sentiment led traders to lock in profits from gold’s recent record highs. Additionally, strength in the U.S. dollar and rising Treasury yields applied further downward pressure on gold prices.
Despite the decline, gold remains above the key $3,000/oz level. Market participants are cautiously awaiting a more definitive trade resolution between the U.S. and China, while soft U.S. economic data continues to cloud the growth outlook.
Other precious metals also faced losses. Platinum futures fell 0.5% to $989.90/oz, and silver futures slipped 0.3% to $32.593/oz, both set for weekly declines alongside gold.
In the industrial metals segment, copper prices edged lower on Friday. London Metal Exchange copper dipped 0.2% to $9,567.30 per ton, and U.S. copper futures also lost 0.2% to $4.6695 per pound. Despite the dip, copper held onto weekly gains driven by optimism over China’s economic prospects.
Traders now look ahead to key Chinese economic indicators, including industrial production and retail sales data due Monday, followed by the People’s Bank of China’s loan prime rate decision on Tuesday, which could signal further stimulus measures.
