US Stock Futures Rise as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Market Sentiment 
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Asian Currencies Stay Range-Bound as Investors Eye China Data, RBNZ Outlook and U.S.-Iran Ceasefire 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
Asian Stocks Slip as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Lift Oil, Dollar Strength Persists 
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
Gold Prices Rise Above $4,000 as Inflation Data and Weaker Dollar Boost Demand 
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Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
Economic pessimism has set in – but there are reasons for Australians to be hopeful 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Canada Grants C$7 Million to Greenland Molybdenum Mine to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
Gold prices slipped in Asian trading on Monday, retreating from last week’s gains, as the U.S. dollar strengthened. Spot gold fell 0.7% to $2,752.09 per ounce, while February Gold Futures declined 0.8% to $2,783.22. Last week, gold surged nearly 3% following U.S. tariff tensions and President Donald Trump’s demand for a rate cut.
The dollar’s rise came after Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Colombian imports, following a diplomatic standoff with Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro over deportation policies. Although Trump paused the tariffs after Petro’s compromise, the uncertainty boosted the U.S. Dollar Index by 0.3%. A stronger dollar typically pressures gold prices as it raises the cost for international buyers.
Investors remain cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting this week. The Fed is expected to keep interest rates steady, with markets anticipating the first rate cut by mid-2025. Higher rates generally weigh on gold, making interest-bearing assets more appealing.
Other precious metals also declined due to the stronger dollar. Platinum Futures dropped 1.1% to $961.20 per ounce, while Silver Futures slid 1.7% to $30.655. Copper, which hit a two-month high last Friday amid optimism over U.S.-China trade, also fell. London Metal Exchange Copper Futures dropped 0.5% to $9,230.50 a ton, while February Copper Futures slipped 1.1% to $4.275 per pound.
Market sentiment remains focused on the Fed’s decision and ongoing geopolitical tensions, keeping gold and other metals under pressure.
