S&P 500, Nasdaq Futures Rise as Iran Risks and CPI Loom 
Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Reopening Remains Uncertain 
Asian Stocks Mixed as Chip Selloff Hits KOSPI, Nikkei Ahead of US Jobs Data 
China Trade Surplus Beats Forecasts in July as Exports Stay Strong 
Gold Prices Hold Near Seven-Week High as Markets Await U.S. Inflation Data 
Iran-Oman Near Strait of Hormuz Deal as Shipping Tensions Persist 
China Exports Beat July Forecasts as AI Demand Fuels High-Tech Trade 
Goldman Sachs Sees US Stock Buybacks Outpacing Equity Issuance as AI Funding Rises 
South Korean Won Leads Asian FX Losses as Dollar Rises 
Trump Unveils $3 Billion U.S. Critical Minerals Push 
Asian Stocks Rise as Weak US Jobs Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Bets 
US Yen Intervention Unlikely to Deliver Lasting Recovery, Yardeni Says 
Oil Prices Set for Steep Weekly Losses as Hormuz Deal Stalls 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await U.S. Jobs Data 
Japan Posts First Current Account Deficit in 17 Months as Dividend Payments Surge 
US Dollar Gains as Iran Tensions, Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
Gold prices declined on Wednesday as the U.S. dollar strengthened slightly and investors reacted cautiously to ongoing uncertainty surrounding potential peace negotiations between the United States and Iran. Concerns over the future of the Strait of Hormuz and rising global inflation pressures also affected precious metals and commodity markets.
Spot gold fell 1.2% to $4,452.24 per ounce, while gold futures dropped 1.1% to $4,483.55 per ounce during afternoon trading. Other precious metals also moved lower, with spot silver declining 2.9% to $74.78 per ounce and platinum falling 1.1% to $1,930.85 per ounce.
Market sentiment shifted after reports emerged that Iran had allegedly received a draft memorandum of understanding aimed at ending hostilities with the U.S. According to Iranian state media, the proposal included restoring commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz within a month and removing U.S. naval restrictions around Iranian ports. However, the White House denied the claims, calling the reports fabricated and warning against trusting Iranian-controlled media sources.
President Donald Trump stated earlier that negotiations were progressing, though recent military exchanges between the two countries reduced optimism for a quick agreement. Trump said discussions with Iran were ongoing and hinted that stronger military action remained possible if talks failed.
Oil prices also dropped as traders anticipated that tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz could soon normalize. The waterway remains critical to global energy supplies, handling roughly 20% of the world’s oil and gas shipments. Recent disruptions triggered major supply concerns and fueled inflation fears worldwide.
Higher oil prices and rising bond yields have pressured gold markets because elevated interest rates typically reduce demand for non-yielding assets such as gold. Meanwhile, aluminum prices surged to a four-year high on the London Metal Exchange due to tightening global supply conditions linked to the Middle East conflict.
Analysts say ongoing geopolitical tensions, inflation concerns, and central bank policy expectations will continue driving volatility across gold, oil, and commodity markets throughout 2026.
