Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
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 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Russian stocks edged higher on Saturday, driven by strength in the oil, gas, and power sectors. The MOEX Russia Index closed up 0.26%, signaling cautious optimism among investors despite mixed performance across key equities.
Bank VTB PJSC (MCX:VTBR) led the session’s gainers, inching up 0.02% to 83.30. GDR ROS AGRO PLC (MCX:AGRODR) remained flat at 1,083.80, while TATNEFT (MCX:TATN) slipped slightly by 0.09% to 693.40.
However, steelmakers weighed on the index. Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works (MCX:MAGN) saw the steepest loss, plunging 3.85% to 32.49. Severstal PJSC (MCX:CHMF) fell 3.73% to 1,022.40, and diamond giant ALROSA PJSC (MCX:ALRS) dropped 3.69% to 50.40.
Market breadth data was unavailable, indicating neutral sentiment across the broader exchange. Volatility remained stable, with the Russian Volatility Index (RVI) unchanged at 51.60.
In the commodities market, gold futures for June dipped 0.15% to $3,341.30 per troy ounce. Crude oil for May surged 3.54%, reaching $64.68 per barrel, while June Brent gained 3.20% to settle at $67.96, reflecting increased energy demand and geopolitical tensions.
Currency movements showed mixed trends. The USD/RUB pair declined 0.09% to 82.10, while EUR/RUB advanced 0.16% to 93.52. Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar Index Futures saw minimal movement, down 0.01% at 99.13.
Despite weak performances from major metal stocks, gains in the energy sector helped lift the overall index. Investors continue to monitor global commodity prices and currency fluctuations as geopolitical developments unfold.
