Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Gold prices held largely steady in Asian trading on Wednesday, with investors cautious ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy announcement and ongoing trade developments. Spot gold slipped 0.1% to $3,323.66 an ounce, while gold futures eased 0.1% to $3,378.62 per ounce as of 02:18 ET (06:18 GMT).
The yellow metal had gained slightly in the previous session, supported by safe-haven demand amid uncertainty over the August 1 tariff deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump. However, recent progress in trade talks has pressured bullion prices in recent weeks, reducing demand for defensive assets.
A U.S.–EU framework agreement unveiled last weekend lowered tariffs on most European goods to 15% from the previously threatened 30%, easing fears of a trade war escalation. The development strengthened the U.S. dollar, which remained firm midweek and weighed on gold by making it more expensive for international buyers.
Market focus now turns to the Fed’s two-day policy meeting, expected to conclude with rates held at 4.25%–4.50%. Investors will closely watch the central bank’s commentary for signals on future policy shifts, particularly the possibility of a rate cut in September. Additional U.S. economic data, including PCE inflation and labor market reports, are due later this week and could influence gold’s trajectory.
Other precious metals traded lower, with platinum futures down 0.3% at $1,415.05 and silver futures slipping 0.4% to $38.15. Copper also declined, with London benchmark futures dropping 0.3% to $9,781.45 per ton and U.S. copper futures falling 0.5% to $5.64 per pound amid tariff concerns following Chile’s push for exemptions on U.S. metal duties.
