PBoC Extends Gold Buying to 9 Months While Imports Crash 62% in H1 2025

China’s gold market showed mixed signals in July 2025, with the People’s Bank of China continuing its buying streak by adding 2 tons, marking nine consecutive months of purchases and bringing total reserves to 2,300 tons. However, retail demand remained subdued – Shanghai Gold Exchange withdrawals of 93 tons were well below the 10-year average, while Chinese gold ETFs saw outflows of 2.4 billion yuan ($325 million) as investors shifted to equities amid stronger economic data. Gold imports for the first half of 2025 plunged 62% year-over-year to just 323 tons, reflecting weak jewelry demand at record-high prices despite continued […]

Tariff Turmoil: Copper Crashes 14% After Wild Ride, Gold Flat Despite Fed Drama

CME Group’s micro metals futures showed mixed performance in July amid tariff uncertainty and Fed policy concerns. Gold prices briefly surged above $3,450/oz after President Trump threatened to fire Fed Chair Powell, but ended July flat at just under $3,300/oz following a hawkish Fed meeting. Silver gained 1.5% to close at $36.710/oz, benefiting from initial tariff fears before bullion was exempted. Copper experienced extreme volatility, jumping 13% on July 8 after Trump announced potential 50% import tariffs, only to crash 14.3% by month-end to $4.3545/lb when copper cathodes were excluded. Trading volumes surged, with Micro Copper futures ADV up 89% […]

Wall Street Whiplash: Markets Soar on CPI, Crash on PPI Inflation Shock

Stock markets initially rallied to record highs on Tuesday after July’s consumer inflation data came in slightly better than expected at 2.7% annually, matching June’s level. However, the celebration was short-lived as Thursday’s Producer Price Index shocked investors with a 0.9% monthly surge – the biggest jump since June 2022 and far above the 0.2% forecast. The dramatic wholesale inflation spike caused stocks to reverse course, with major indexes falling as traders scaled back expectations for multiple Fed rate cuts. The PPI surge suggests tariff-related costs are finally hitting the production pipeline, potentially foreshadowing higher consumer prices ahead and complicating […]

Japan Defies Expectations with 1% GDP Growth Despite US Tariff Pressures

Japan’s economy grew stronger than expected in the second quarter, expanding 1.0% on an annualized basis versus forecasts of just 0.4%. This marks the fifth consecutive quarter of growth after previous data was revised from contraction to expansion. Export volumes held up surprisingly well despite new US tariffs, while capital spending rose 1.3% and private consumption edged up 0.2%. However, economists warn the positive data may be temporary, driven by last-minute demand from Asian tech manufacturers and automakers rushing shipments before tariffs took full effect, suggesting challenges ahead for the world’s fourth-largest economy.

Wholesale Prices Post Biggest Jump in 3 Years as Tariff Costs Hit US Economy

US wholesale inflation surged unexpectedly in July, with the Producer Price Index jumping 0.9% – the biggest monthly increase in over three years. The sharp rise pushed annual wholesale inflation to 3.3%, well above the Fed’s 2% target. The surge was driven by both services (up 1.1%) and goods (up 0.7%), with fresh vegetables soaring 38.9% and widespread increases across sectors including machinery, hotels, and freight transport. This wholesale price spike raises concerns that consumer inflation will accelerate in coming months as businesses pass along higher costs from Trump’s tariffs, potentially complicating the Federal Reserve’s plans for a September rate […]

India’s Gold Buyers Return as Prices Dip, But Rest of Asia Stays on Sidelines

Physical gold demand in India showed modest improvement this week as prices retreated from recent record highs, encouraging some retail buyers to return to the market. Gold prices in India fell to 99,838 rupees ($1,139.61) per 10 grams on Thursday after hitting an all-time high of 102,250 rupees last week. The pullback prompted Indian dealers to offer smaller discounts of up to $6 per ounce compared to $9 last week. However, demand remained sluggish in other major Asian markets including China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan, where activity was described as “lacklustre” despite the price correction.

Markets on Edge: Trump-Putin Summit and Jackson Hole Could Upend Bull Run

Financial markets face several key events this week that could shake up the current bull run. The most anticipated is Friday’s summit between Presidents Trump and Putin in Alaska, aimed at ending the Ukraine war. Any peace agreement could boost European stocks and the euro while easing global inflation pressures. Meanwhile, Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s appearance at the Jackson Hole symposium in Wyoming poses risks, as any hints about September rate cuts could trigger market volatility. With 60% of global investors worried about stagflation, these events come at a critical time for markets hovering near record highs.

Producer Prices Jump Most in Three Years, Complicating Trump’s Push for Rate Cuts

US wholesale inflation surged in July by the most in three years, dampening hopes for aggressive Federal Reserve rate cuts in September. The Producer Price Index (PPI) data showed inflation accelerating through the economy, even as consumer prices remained relatively stable. This split between wholesale and consumer inflation has created uncertainty about Fed policy, with traders now seeing only a 90% chance of a September rate cut, down from certainty earlier in the week. The data highlights ongoing tensions between President Trump’s push for lower rates and the Fed’s concerns about inflation risks from tariffs.

Gold Bounces Friday But Can’t Escape Weekly Loss After Inflation Shock

Gold prices rose slightly on Friday, supported by a weaker US dollar, but are still heading for a 1.7% weekly decline. The drop came after Thursday’s producer price data showed the biggest increase in three years, reducing expectations for a large Federal Reserve rate cut in September. While consumer price data earlier in the week had briefly raised hopes for a bigger rate cut, the hotter producer prices and lower-than-expected jobless claims have traders scaling back those expectations. Gold typically benefits from lower interest rates since it doesn’t yield any income.

Weekly Gold Decline Follows Surge in US Wholesale Prices

Gold prices are set to decline this week after US wholesale inflation data came in higher than expected in July. The stronger inflation report reduced expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in September, with traders now seeing only a 90% chance of a cut versus full certainty earlier. Gold typically performs better when interest rates fall, so this shift in expectations pushed prices down. Despite the weekly loss, gold remains up over 25% for the year, supported by geopolitical tensions and central bank buying.