Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Austria’s AA Credit Rating Affirmed as Fitch Highlights Stable Outlook 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Gold prices edged higher in Asian trading Monday, recovering from a one-month low as a weaker U.S. dollar boosted demand, despite easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Spot gold rose 0.5% to $3,290.25 per ounce, while August gold futures gained 0.4% to $3,300.00 by 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT). The metal had slumped nearly 3% last week—its steepest drop since early May—wiping out prior gains tied to global conflicts and leaving it flat for the month.
The dollar’s decline, with the U.S. Dollar Index down 0.2% and hovering near a three-year low, made gold more attractive to foreign investors. Market expectations of a potential Federal Reserve rate cut by September further pressured the greenback, supporting bullion.
Risk appetite improved after U.S. President Donald Trump brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, reducing safe-haven inflows into gold. Optimism also grew following a U.S.–China trade agreement in Geneva, which eased rare-earth tensions and trade friction, and the launch of a U.S.–U.K. trade deal that cuts car tariffs and removes duties on aircraft parts.
Still, concerns linger over the upcoming July 9 deadline, which may trigger renewed tariffs on global steel, aluminum, and other imports if no agreements are reached.
Other metals also gained. Platinum futures jumped 1.9% to $1,377.00, putting the metal on track for a 30% monthly surge despite recent pullbacks. Silver held steady at $36.045 per ounce. Copper futures on the London Metal Exchange were flat at $9,888.95 per ton, while U.S. copper rose 0.7% to $5.132 per pound. Gains were tempered by weak Chinese manufacturing data, signaling softer demand from the world’s top copper importer.
