Gold Price Today: Gold Set for First Monthly Gain Since February Despite Friday Dip 
Trump-Backed Russia Sanctions Bill Faces House Hurdles Over Tariff Powers 
Japan Yen Surges on Reported FX Intervention as Dollar Slides After Fed, BoE Holds Rates 
BOJ Holds Rates at 1% as Inflation Outlook Eases, October Rate Hike Still Possible 
Iran Warns of Retaliation as Trump Threatens New Strikes, Oil Risks Intensify 
China PMI Contracts in July as Weak Demand and Typhoons Weigh on Economy 
UK Economy Faces 2027 Recession Risk if Strait of Hormuz Stays Closed, EY Warns 
Trump Says Iran Talks to Begin as Strait of Hormuz Deal Nears, Oil Prices Fall 
Dollar Posts Worst Monthly Loss Since April as Fed Uncertainty and Yen Intervention Shake FX Markets 
US Signals More Joint Yen Intervention With Japan if Currency Volatility Continues 
Japan Earthquake Disrupts Auto and Chip Supply Chains 
US Jobs Report, Fed Outlook, and Big Tech Earnings Put Stock Market in Focus 
U.S. Treasury Joins Japan in Yen Intervention as Currency Nears 40-Year Lows 
China PMI Falls Into Contraction as Manufacturing, Services Weaken in July 
Japan Confirms Coordinated Yen Intervention With U.S., Signals More Action if Needed 
Oil Prices Head for 21% Monthly Surge as Middle East Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
U.S. stock index futures moved higher late Sunday after President Donald Trump announced that negotiations with Iran would begin on Monday, easing geopolitical concerns and lifting investor sentiment. The prospect of renewed diplomacy also pressured oil prices lower, fueling optimism that inflationary pressures could ease in the months ahead.
As of 20:41 ET (00:41 GMT), S&P 500 futures climbed 0.4% to 7,551.50, Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.65% to 28,589.50, and Dow Jones futures advanced 0.39% to 52,835. The gains followed a positive finish on Wall Street on Friday, where bargain buying, particularly in technology stocks, helped markets recover after a difficult July.
Trump said discussions with Iran were scheduled to begin Monday afternoon and described a potential agreement involving the Strait of Hormuz as “imminent.” His remarks came after he canceled a planned military strike against Iran following talks with regional mediators, raising hopes that tensions between Washington and Tehran could ease after weeks of escalating conflict.
The geopolitical optimism pushed crude oil prices down nearly 5% in early Monday trading. Lower energy prices have strengthened expectations that inflation could moderate, providing a more favorable backdrop for financial markets.
Technology stocks are expected to remain in focus after suffering heavy losses throughout July. Strong quarterly earnings from Microsoft and Amazon recently helped improve sentiment, sparking hopes of a broader recovery across the sector. Despite the rebound, the Nasdaq Composite ended July down 3.2%, while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average posted modest monthly gains.
Investors are also preparing for another busy week of second-quarter earnings. Palantir Technologies is scheduled to report later Monday, followed by AMD and SpaceX on Tuesday. Other major companies reporting this week include Caterpillar, Merck, and McDonald’s.
Beyond corporate earnings, markets are closely watching Friday’s U.S. nonfarm payrolls report for July. Economists expect stronger job growth, a result that could reinforce expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates elevated after policymakers signaled continued concerns about persistent inflation during last week’s meeting.
