Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
U.S. Stocks Rise as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for Fed Rate Cut 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Austria’s AA Credit Rating Affirmed as Fitch Highlights Stable Outlook 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Gold prices declined in Asian trading on Tuesday as improving risk appetite and optimism over U.S.-China trade talks curbed demand for safe-haven assets. Spot gold dropped 0.8% to $3,308.32 an ounce, while August futures fell 0.8% to $3,327.75 by 00:23 ET.
After strong gains driven by economic uncertainty, Trump’s trade stance, and geopolitical tensions, gold reversed course as high-level negotiations between Washington and Beijing began in London. Hopes for progress in easing trade tensions overshadowed market worries, including unrest in Los Angeles tied to immigration protests and military deployment.
Investors also positioned themselves ahead of key U.S. inflation data due Wednesday, strengthening the dollar and putting further pressure on metal prices. President Trump indicated a willingness to ease restrictions on chip and tech exports to China, signaling potential breakthroughs in the trade dispute.
Other precious metals mirrored gold’s decline. Platinum futures slid 0.1% to $1,224.60 an ounce, retreating from a four-year high. Silver futures dipped 0.4% to $36.660, staying close to a 13-year peak. Despite recent pullbacks, gold remains up 26% year-to-date, supported by record highs earlier in 2025.
Copper prices also edged lower, with London Metal Exchange futures down 0.3% to $9,757.60 a ton and U.S. futures off 0.4% at $4.8848 a pound. Still, both benchmarks rose 1% in the prior session, buoyed by trade deal hopes despite weak Chinese economic data. May figures revealed a sharp drop in China’s copper imports and disappointing export growth, likely impacted by U.S. tariffs.
Overall, metals markets remain sensitive to macroeconomic signals and trade policy developments, with gold and copper prices fluctuating in response to shifting investor sentiment and geopolitical dynamics.
