Gold Price Climbs Over 1% as Dollar Weakens, Fed Rate Debate and Iran Tensions Remain in Focus 
Japan Producer Inflation Hits 7.1% in June, Fueling BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Dollar Ends Week Higher as Yen Jumps on Japan Pension Fund Investment Plans 
China Inflation Cools in June as Producer Prices Hit Four-Year High 
Gold Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Conflict, Fed Rate Hike Bets Pressure Precious Metals 
Japan Eyes Bigger GPIF Investment in Domestic Assets as BOJ Independence Concerns Grow 
Gold Prices Set for Weekly Loss as Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Outlook Weigh 
Fed Reaffirms 2% Inflation Goal, Vows Forceful Action to Anchor Price Expectations 
Wall Street Rises as SK Hynix’s Record Nasdaq Debut Steals Spotlight Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
US Stock Futures Steady as US-Iran Tensions and Fed Inflation Concerns Weigh on Markets 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Launches Task Forces to Overhaul U.S. Monetary Policy Framework 
Asian Stocks Slip as Iran Tensions, Samsung Weakness and Fed Caution Weigh on Markets 
Asian Stocks Rise as AI Chip Rally Offsets Middle East Tensions 
Japanese Yen Rises as Pension Fund Plan and BOJ Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Dollar 
Bernstein Raises 2026 Nickel Price Forecast as Indonesia Tightens Supply 
Oil Prices Slip but Stay on Track for Weekly Gains as U.S.-Iran Conflict Persists 
US Launches New Iran Strikes as Strait of Hormuz Conflict Escalates, Oil Prices Rise 
The U.S. labor market is expected to post modest gains in March, recovering from February's sharp drop of 92,000 jobs, but persistent headwinds are keeping economists cautious. A Reuters poll forecasts nonfarm payrolls rising by approximately 60,000 jobs — a figure that reflects sluggish but stabilizing momentum rather than genuine strength.
A key driver of the anticipated rebound is the return of roughly 31,000 striking Kaiser Permanente nurses in California and Hawaii, which should lift healthcare employment figures. Warmer seasonal temperatures are also expected to support gains in construction and leisure and hospitality sectors, both of which took hits from harsh winter conditions in prior months.
Despite the mild recovery, economists warn that multiple forces are weighing on hiring. President Trump's sweeping import tariffs created significant business uncertainty earlier this year, and after the U.S. Supreme Court briefly struck them down, a global tariff lasting up to 150 days was quickly reinstated. More recently, U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran sent global oil prices surging over 50%, pushing average retail gasoline above $4 per gallon nationally for the first time in over three years. The resulting inflation threatens to erode consumer purchasing power and dampen spending.
Mass deportations have further constrained labor supply, reducing demand for goods and services and contributing to what economists describe as a "low-hire, low-layoff" equilibrium. With working-age population growth slowing dramatically, some analysts now place the monthly jobs break-even point near zero.
The unemployment rate is projected to hold at 4.4%, though it could nudge higher. Average hourly earnings are expected to grow 0.3% monthly, or 3.7% annually. With the Federal Reserve holding rates steady between 3.50% and 3.75%, few expect any policy shifts in the near term as the full economic impact of the Middle East conflict continues to unfold.
