Gold Prices Rebound in Asia Amid Iran War Ceasefire Hopes 
RBC Capital: European Medtech Firms Show Minimal Middle East and Energy Risk Exposure 
Middle East Conflict Drives Dollar Surge as Yen Hits Critical Threshold 
South Korea's $17.3 Billion Emergency Budget Targets Oil Price Surge 
Asian Stocks Drop Amid Iran War Fears and BOJ Rate Hike Signals 
WTO Digital Trade Moratorium Expires Amid Stalled Negotiations 
Aluminum Prices Surge Toward Four-Year Highs After Gulf Smelter Strikes 
U.S. Stock Futures Surge After WSJ Report on Trump's Iran War Exit Strategy 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady Amid U.S.-Israel-Iran Tensions and BOJ Signals 
Oil Prices Dip as Trump Eyes Iran De-escalation, Hormuz Closure Persists 
U.S. Treasury Eyes Private Credit Oversight Through Insurance Regulator Talks 
WTO Ministerial Collapse Leaves Global Digital Trade Rules in Limbo 
Oil Prices Surge Amid Middle East Tensions as Houthi Attacks Escalate Conflict 
Bessent: Global Oil Market Well Supplied as U.S. Eyes Hormuz Navigation Control 
South Korea March Exports Expected to Surge to Near Five-Year High Amid AI-Driven Chip Demand 
Dollar Surges to Monthly High as Middle East Conflict Rattles Global Markets 
Asia Markets Tumble as Gulf Conflict Drives Oil Prices to Historic Highs 
Gold prices climbed in Asian trading on Thursday, driven by softer U.S. inflation data that reinforced expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts. Spot gold rose 0.4% to $2,945.18 per ounce, while April gold futures gained 0.2% to $2,953.62 an ounce.
The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.2% in February, bringing the annual inflation rate to 2.8%, below the expected 2.9% and down from January’s 3.0%. This cooling inflation strengthened market expectations for three rate cuts in 2025, with the first anticipated in June. Lower interest rates typically boost gold’s appeal by reducing the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets. Investors are closely watching the Federal Reserve’s upcoming March 18-19 meeting for further guidance.
Gold’s safe-haven demand also increased as former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened fresh tariffs on EU goods in response to planned counter-tariffs. This followed the U.S.’s 25% tariff on steel and aluminum, escalating trade tensions. Canada responded with retaliatory tariffs on $21 billion worth of U.S. imports. The U.S. Dollar Index remained near a four-month low, adding to gold’s attractiveness.
Other precious metals struggled, with platinum futures down 0.7% to $990.10 an ounce and silver futures dipping 0.4% to $33.593 an ounce. Meanwhile, copper prices fell after Trump hinted at adding the red metal to trade protections, with April copper futures slipping 0.2% to $4.8340 a pound.
Amid inflation concerns and rising trade tensions, gold remains a key asset for investors seeking stability, with market focus shifting to the Fed’s upcoming policy decision.
