Gold Drops Below $4,000 as Strong US Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Bullion 
South Korea’s KOSPI Plunges as Apple Price Hikes and OpenAI IPO Delay Shake AI Chip Stocks 
Australia Jobs Growth Strengthens Rate Hike Outlook 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
Gold Prices Rise Above $4,000 as Inflation Data and Weaker Dollar Boost Demand 
Bessent Says U.S. Must Strengthen Supply Chains and Economic Security 
Trump Requests $11 Billion More in Farm Aid as Rising Costs Pressure U.S. Farmers 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
South Korea Remains MSCI Emerging Market Despite Reform Progress 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
U.S. Dollar Reaches One-Year High as Tech Sell-Off and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Support Demand 
Gold Prices Fall Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar, Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Bullion 
The U.S. dollar strengthened slightly on Monday as investors turned to safe-haven assets following rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. Market sentiment remained cautious ahead of key U.S. inflation reports expected later this week, with traders closely monitoring the impact of surging oil prices on the economy.
The U.S. Dollar Index, which measures the greenback against six major currencies, climbed 0.1% to 97.96 during late trading. The move came after President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s latest proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict between the two countries.
Iran reportedly requested recognition of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, an end to hostilities, and compensation for war-related damages. Trump dismissed the proposal as “totally unacceptable,” criticizing Tehran for failing to address its nuclear program. He also described the current ceasefire as “unbelievably weak,” adding further uncertainty to global markets.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments, remains a major point of conflict. Supply disruptions have pushed crude oil prices sharply higher, fueling concerns about inflation worldwide. Analysts believe elevated oil prices could continue supporting the U.S. dollar because the American economy is seen as more resilient than many others during energy shocks.
Investors are now focused on upcoming U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) reports. Economists expect energy costs to remain a major driver of inflation, while markets will also look for signs that higher fuel prices are spreading into core inflation categories. Stronger inflation data could reinforce expectations that the Federal Reserve may maintain higher interest rates for longer, which would likely support the dollar further.
Elsewhere, the Chinese yuan edged higher after stronger-than-expected inflation data from China, while the British pound and euro both slipped against the dollar amid political and economic uncertainty.
