Japan Private-Sector Growth Slows as Domestic Demand Weakens 
U.S. 10-Year Treasury Yield Hits 2007 High as Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
Oil Prices Ease as Iran Tensions Clash With Diplomacy Hopes 
US Stock Futures Fall as Treasury Yields Surge Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit 
US 10-Year Treasury Yield at 6% Emerges as New Market Risk Threshold 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Diplomacy Hopes Fade 
Oil Prices Jump 3% as Houthi Attack Revives Supply Fears 
China’s ‘Lipstick King’ Says AI Won’t Replace Livestream Hosts 
Gold Holds Near $4,275 as Rising Treasury Yields Fuel Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Asian Stocks Fall as Bond Yields Surge Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit 
Soybean Futures Slip as Traders Await Trump-Xi Trade Signals 
Fed Unveils Stablecoin Rules Under GENIUS Act 
Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High as Yen Approaches 160 
Trump, Xi Focus on Trade and AI at White House Summit 
Japanese Bank Stocks Surge as Bond Yields Fuel Rate Hike Bets 
Australia Unemployment Hits Five-Year High Despite Strong Jobs Growth 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High 
Add as a preferred source on Google
Gold prices slipped on Wednesday as investors weighed ongoing geopolitical risks in the Middle East alongside expectations surrounding the Federal Reserve’s upcoming interest rate decision. Spot gold declined by 0.5% to $4,572.96 per ounce, while gold futures also dropped 0.5% to $4,585.80, reflecting cautious market sentiment.
Other precious metals followed a similar trend, with silver edging down 0.2% to $73.0465 per ounce and platinum falling 0.7% to $1,929.63 per ounce. Despite persistent geopolitical uncertainty, gold has struggled to maintain upward momentum as macroeconomic pressures continue to dominate investor behavior.
Reports suggest that U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing for a prolonged naval blockade against Iran, aiming to restrict the country’s oil exports and increase economic pressure. This development raises concerns about potential retaliation from Iran, including the possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a critical global oil supply route. Such disruptions have already driven Brent crude prices above $110 per barrel, significantly higher than pre-conflict levels near $70.
Rising oil prices have fueled inflation concerns, prompting expectations that central banks may maintain higher interest rates for longer. This outlook has weighed heavily on gold, as higher rates increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like bullion. Instead, investors have shifted toward the U.S. dollar, which has strengthened against major currencies and made gold more expensive for international buyers.
Market participants are closely watching the Federal Reserve’s policy decision, with expectations that rates will remain unchanged. However, analysts anticipate a more hawkish tone, potentially signaling fewer rate cuts in 2026. Similar policy announcements from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England are also in focus this week.
For gold prices to recover, analysts suggest that either oil prices need to stabilize or geopolitical tensions must ease, allowing central banks to adopt a more dovish stance. Until then, gold may continue to face downward pressure despite its traditional role as a safe-haven asset.
