Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
US Stock Futures Steady as Investors Await Payrolls Data and Monitor Iran Tensions 
Gold Prices Drop as Fed Rate Outlook and Iran Tensions Weigh on Market 
Canada Grants C$7 Million to Greenland Molybdenum Mine to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply 
Asian Stocks End Strong Quarter as Dollar Surges, Yen Hits 40-Year Low Ahead of US Jobs Data 
China Manufacturing PMI Edges Higher in June as Exports and AI Investment Boost Growth 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
RBA Minutes Signal Australia Central Bank Remains Ready to Raise Interest Rates if Inflation Persists 
Central Banks Eye Gold, Reduce Dollar Exposure as AI Adoption Accelerates: OMFIF Survey 
China Sets 1.25% Overnight Reverse Repo Rate Below Market Expectations 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
Asian Stocks Slip as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Lift Oil, Dollar Strength Persists 
China Factory PMI Seen Returning to Growth in June as AI Export Demand Supports Economy 
Trump Urges Gasoline Retailers to Cut Prices to $2.50 Per Gallon, Warns of Legal Action 
Oil prices climbed sharply on Monday as stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations continued to disrupt Middle East energy exports, fueling concerns across global markets. Brent crude futures rose nearly 2%, reaching a three-week high of $107.97 per barrel during Asian trading. This spike has intensified inflation fears and led investors to scale back expectations for interest rate cuts in major economies this year.
The ongoing geopolitical tension, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, remains a key driver of volatility. With limited oil and gas shipments passing through the critical route, supply constraints are pushing energy prices higher. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices have also surged, with June delivery into Northeast Asia averaging $16.70 per million British thermal units—up roughly 61% from pre-conflict levels. Analysts at Goldman Sachs have raised their year-end Brent crude forecast to $90 per barrel, warning that further supply shortages could trigger even steeper price increases.
Despite energy market concerns, global stock markets showed resilience, supported by renewed enthusiasm around artificial intelligence (AI) investments. S&P 500 futures edged up by 0.2%, while markets in Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea followed Wall Street’s lead in reaching record highs. Strong demand for semiconductor stocks, fueled by optimistic AI spending outlooks, has boosted valuations across major tech-driven markets.
Currency markets remained relatively stable, with the euro trading at $1.1724 and the Japanese yen at 159.32 per dollar. Meanwhile, bond markets held steady as investors await key central bank decisions from the U.S. Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Bank of England, and Bank of Japan. Most policymakers are expected to maintain current interest rates, though future guidance could shift expectations for potential rate hikes.
Investor attention is also focused on upcoming earnings reports from major technology companies, including Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, and Apple. These results, particularly capital expenditure on AI infrastructure, are expected to shape market sentiment in the coming weeks as the global economy balances geopolitical risks with rapid technological growth.
