Japan Revises Economic Blueprint to Reassure Markets on BOJ Independence 
US Launches New Iran Strikes as Strait of Hormuz Conflict Escalates, Oil Prices Rise 
Germany Seen Gaining as U.S. China-Built Ship Fees Reshape Trade 
US Stock Futures Steady as US-Iran Tensions and Fed Inflation Concerns Weigh on Markets 
US Stock Futures Steady as Middle East Tensions and Fed Minutes Keep Investors Cautious 
Japan Eyes Bigger GPIF Investment in Domestic Assets as BOJ Independence Concerns Grow 
Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Climbs to 3,811 as Government Seeks Sanctions Relief 
Dollar Slips After Fed Minutes as Iran Tensions, Inflation Risks Keep Markets Cautious 
Japan Producer Inflation Hits 7.1% in June, Fueling BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Chinese Chip Stocks Jump as Apple Reportedly Tests CXMT Memory Chips for China Devices 
Gold Price Rebounds as U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Minutes Keep Markets on Edge 
Bernstein Raises 2026 Nickel Price Forecast as Indonesia Tightens Supply 
Iran Targets U.S. Bases in Bahrain, Kuwait as Hormuz Conflict Escalates and Oil Prices Jump 
Dollar Slips as Oil Prices Ease, Fed Rate Outlook Remains Uncertain 
Japan Wholesale Inflation Jumps as Energy Shock Drives Import Costs Higher 
Asian Currencies Slip as Stronger US Dollar, Iran Tensions Pressure Regional FX 
RBNZ Raises Interest Rates to 2.50%, Signals More Tightening as Inflation Risks Persist 
Gold prices rebounded more than 1% on Thursday after hitting a one-week low in the previous session, supported by a weaker U.S. dollar and lower oil prices that eased concerns over inflation. Investors also assessed the latest Federal Reserve meeting minutes and ongoing developments surrounding the U.S.-Iran conflict.
Spot gold rose 1.2% to $4,124.36 an ounce, while U.S. gold futures gained 1.2% to settle at $4,133.17 an ounce.
The precious metal had declined on Wednesday after the United States and Iran exchanged military strikes in their most significant escalation since reaching an interim peace agreement last month. However, market sentiment improved after President Donald Trump said Tehran had reached out seeking a new agreement, reducing immediate fears of a broader regional conflict.
Trump said Iran "wanted to make a deal so badly" but questioned whether the country could be trusted to honor any future agreement. His comments came after U.S. forces launched strikes on roughly 170 Iranian targets following attacks on commercial oil tankers, with Iran retaliating by targeting U.S. military bases in the region.
The prospect of renewed diplomacy helped push oil prices lower, easing inflation expectations and providing additional support for gold.
Investors also focused on minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee's June 16-17 meeting, which revealed policymakers remain divided on the path for interest rates. While some officials favored an immediate rate hike, most indicated inflation could gradually move back toward the Fed's 2% target without further aggressive tightening, although risks remain from tariffs, artificial intelligence-driven demand, and geopolitical tensions.
Trade Nation senior market analyst David Morrison said the minutes suggest many Fed officials believe lower oil prices, helped by reduced U.S.-Iran tensions and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, could slow inflation and lessen the need for additional rate increases this year.
Adding to that view, New York Fed President John Williams said he does not expect energy prices to remain elevated through the rest of the year despite the latest military confrontation, reinforcing expectations that inflation pressures may continue to ease if oil prices stay contained.
