Trump Questions Housing Bill as He Prioritizes SAVE America Act 
Central Banks Eye Gold, Reduce Dollar Exposure as AI Adoption Accelerates: OMFIF Survey 
Dollar Slips Ahead of Key U.S. Jobs Data as Fed Rate Outlook, ECB, and Iran Talks Shape Forex Markets 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Asian Stocks Slip as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Lift Oil, Dollar Strength Persists 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
US Stock Futures Rise as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Market Sentiment 
Gold Price Hits Annual Low as Fed Rate Hike Bets and Sticky Inflation Weigh on Bullion 
RBA Minutes Signal Australia Central Bank Remains Ready to Raise Interest Rates if Inflation Persists 
Trump Suspends Some Morocco Fertilizer Tariffs to Ease U.S. Supply Shortage 
Global Financial Firms Shift Asia Expansion Focus to South Korea as China, India Face Caution 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
Economic pessimism has set in – but there are reasons for Australians to be hopeful 
China Manufacturing PMI Edges Higher in June as Exports and AI Investment Boost Growth 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Gold prices saw a modest increase on Friday, supported by a weaker U.S. dollar and renewed geopolitical developments involving the United States and Iran. Despite this slight rebound, the precious metal remains on track for a weekly decline as rising oil prices fuel concerns about inflation and prolonged high interest rates.
Spot gold rose by 0.3% to close at $4,710.57 per ounce, while gold futures settled slightly higher at $4,725.40 per ounce. The uptick in gold prices was largely driven by a softer dollar, which typically enhances the appeal of dollar-denominated commodities like gold for international investors. As the greenback weakened, market participants shifted toward riskier assets such as equities, reducing demand for the dollar’s safe-haven status.
Investor sentiment improved after signals emerged that the U.S. and Iran are preparing for a second round of diplomatic talks. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed plans to visit key regional partners, including Pakistan, Oman, and Russia, to discuss bilateral and regional developments. Meanwhile, the White House announced that U.S. officials, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will travel to Pakistan for further negotiations. These developments boosted optimism in financial markets, contributing to the dollar’s decline and supporting gold prices.
However, gold’s overall performance this week has been weighed down by a sharp increase in oil prices. Benchmark crude contracts recorded their strongest weekly gains since early March, driven by escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing disputes between the U.S. and Iran. Higher oil prices have intensified fears of an inflationary surge, prompting expectations that central banks may maintain or even raise interest rates.
Since gold does not yield interest, it often underperforms in high-rate environments. Analysts warn that persistent geopolitical uncertainty and rising inflation pressures could continue to limit gold’s upside in the near term, keeping investors cautious despite short-term gains.
