Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
Asian Stocks Advance as Nikkei Nears Record High Ahead of Fed Decision 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
ASX Proposes New Share Dilution Limits for Public Takeovers 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Asian Currencies Stabilize as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High After Fed Hawkish Signal 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Eases Supply Concerns 
Oil Prices Ease as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Peace Deal and Strait of Hormuz Reopening 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
Gold and silver prices extended their losses on Tuesday as a stronger U.S. dollar pressured precious metals and investors turned cautious ahead of major U.S. economic data releases. Reduced trading activity during China’s Lunar New Year also dampened demand, adding further downside pressure to bullion markets.
At 17:26 ET (22:26 GMT), spot gold dropped 2.3% to $4,877.40 per ounce, while April gold futures declined 3% to $4,896.10 per ounce. Spot silver led losses, sliding 4% to $73.5390 per ounce. Platinum prices also weakened, with spot platinum falling 2.7% to $2,020.60 per ounce.
Market analysts noted that gold prices have slipped below the key $4,900 level, while silver has fallen under $75 per ounce amid softer physical demand in Asia. According to Ralph Aldis, portfolio manager at U.S. Global Investors, uncertainty remains over whether precious metals will see further downside or if investors will treat the pullback as a buying opportunity. Societe Generale estimates that China may have accumulated up to 250 tons of gold in 2025 based on trade flows, accounting for over one-third of global central bank demand. Continued Chinese gold purchases into 2026, along with expectations of further U.S. interest rate cuts and increased federal spending, could offer longer-term support for bullion.
Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions provided limited safe-haven support. Reports indicated that the U.S. and Iran made progress in nuclear talks in Geneva, reaching a general agreement on guiding principles. Despite heightened military activity in the Middle East, investors largely remained focused on monetary policy and economic indicators.
Attention now shifts to upcoming U.S. economic data, including industrial production figures, Federal Reserve meeting minutes, the PCE price index, and preliminary fourth-quarter GDP data. Ongoing uncertainty surrounding U.S. monetary policy, especially following President Donald Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Fed Chair, continues to influence gold market sentiment.
