Wall Street Ends Lower as AI Stocks Drag Markets, Fed Rate Outlook Shifts 
Gold Prices Fall Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar, Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Bullion 
Trump Requests $11 Billion More in Farm Aid as Rising Costs Pressure U.S. Farmers 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
Australian Household Spending Rebounds Strongly in May as Travel and Dining Drive Consumer Growth 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
Australia Jobs Growth Strengthens Rate Hike Outlook 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
BOJ Hawk Signals Faster Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Risks 
Gold Prices Rise Above $4,000 as Inflation Data and Weaker Dollar Boost Demand 
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
Gold prices edged higher in Asian trade on Friday, supported by renewed safe haven demand after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 35% tariff on Canada starting August 1. The move, which exceeded previous threats and surprised Ottawa amid thawing trade relations, triggered risk-off sentiment across markets. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East also helped lift demand for havens like gold and the Japanese yen.
Spot gold rose 0.5% to $3,341.27 an ounce, while gold futures for September gained 0.9% to $3,354.60. Despite Friday’s gains, gold remained range-bound between $3,300 and $3,500, pressured by a stronger dollar and ongoing speculation over the U.S. interest rate outlook.
Silver and platinum continued to outperform gold, posting strong weekly gains. Silver futures rose 2.2% to $38.14 an ounce, marking their highest level in nearly 14 years and a third consecutive week of gains. Platinum futures gained 0.3% to $1,420.25, nearing an 11-year high and extending their weekly win streak to six, driven by tight supply concerns and bullish industry forecasts.
In industrial metals, copper prices pulled back after recent highs. COMEX copper futures slipped 1.2% to $5.5620 per pound following profit-taking, despite briefly hitting record levels earlier this week on Trump’s separate threat of a 50% tariff. London Metal Exchange benchmark copper was flat at $9,700.55 per ton.
Overall, while gold regained ground amid geopolitical and trade tensions, silver and platinum continued to shine brighter, fueled by bullish fundamentals and investor interest in alternative precious metals.
