RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
U.S. Stocks Rise as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for Fed Rate Cut 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut 
Austria’s AA Credit Rating Affirmed as Fitch Highlights Stable Outlook 
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Gold prices slipped slightly in Asian trading Monday, pressured by a stronger U.S. dollar following American military strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites. The geopolitical escalation in the Middle East shifted safe-haven demand away from gold and toward the greenback, which rose over 0.3% against a basket of major currencies.
Spot gold dipped 0.2% to $3,360.11 per ounce, while gold futures fell 0.3% to $3,374.72 by 01:08 ET. Despite the drop, gold remained supported by gains earlier in June, driven by heightened demand during the Israel-Iran conflict.
The U.S. attack, ordered by President Donald Trump, targeted three Iranian nuclear facilities, with Trump claiming it significantly set back Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Iranian officials denied the allegations, but tensions soared as Iran vowed retaliation. Concerns grew over a potential Iranian move to block the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route, fueling a surge in global oil prices.
Rising energy prices revived inflation fears, reducing expectations for near-term U.S. interest rate cuts and supporting dollar strength—further weighing on gold. Market focus now turns to comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who is scheduled to testify before Congress this week, potentially offering more guidance on future monetary policy.
Other precious metals also eased. Platinum futures slipped 0.1% to $1,263.15 per ounce, retreating from a recent four-year high, while silver edged up 0.1% to $36.05, hovering near a 13-year peak. In industrial metals, London copper futures fell 0.1% to $9,643.15 per ton, and U.S. copper futures declined 0.3% to $4.820 per pound.
The broader retreat in metals highlights investor caution amid intensifying geopolitical risks and monetary policy uncertainty.
