logo
Market Recap: Gold Ends Week Flat As Rally Stalls Near Key Resistance

Market Recap: Gold Ends Week Flat As Rally Stalls Near Key Resistance

BusinessToday3 days ago
Gold prices ended the week of July 21-25 broadly flat, as momentum from an early-week rally faded and investors turned cautious ahead of fresh macroeconomic signals. The precious metal hovered near the US$2,300 per oz mark, a key psychological and technical resistance level.
Prices moved within a narrow band between US$2,280 and US$2,310, reflecting a consolidation phase driven by mixed market cues. Early gains were fuelled by safe-haven buying amid lingering geopolitical risks and disappointing global economic data. However, stronger US Treasury yields and a rebound in risk appetite later in the week curbed further upside.
Investor appetite for gold was also tempered by slowing inflows into gold-backed ETFs and reduced speculative positioning in futures markets. Analysts noted that market participants were in wait-and-see mode, anticipating US Federal Reserve (Fed) commentary and upcoming economic indicators that could offer clarity on the interest rate path.
For now, gold remains supported by ongoing concerns over inflation, central bank policy uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, all of which keep the long-term bullish case intact.
Market watchers are eyeing this week's US GDP and Personal Consumption Expenditures inflation data, as well as speeches from key Fed officials, for direction. Any signs of easing inflation or dovish rhetoric could provide renewed fuel for gold bulls. Related
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

South Korea's ramyeon makers vie to acquire suppliers for flavour 'soupremacy'
South Korea's ramyeon makers vie to acquire suppliers for flavour 'soupremacy'

The Star

time2 hours ago

  • The Star

South Korea's ramyeon makers vie to acquire suppliers for flavour 'soupremacy'

SEOUL: The fierce rivalry between South Korean instant noodle giants Nongshim and Samyang Foods is flaring up again. This time, it's over control of a closely guarded flavour secret: the soup base. Samyang Foods, the maker of the global hit Buldak noodle series, was the first to make a move, with a 60 billion won (US$43 million) stock purchase deal currently in the works to acquire local sauce maker GnF. The local sauce manufacturer has long supplied powdered seasonings to major food companies, including Nongshim, Pulmuone and Ottogi. Last year, it posted 41.7 billion won in revenue and 3.2 billion won in operating profit. If the deal goes through, it would mark Samyang's first merger and acquisition exceeding 50 billion won since its founding in 1961. 'The acquisition has not been finalized, including its timeline,' a company official said. 'We are still reviewing various aspects of the deal.' Yet the move is widely seen as a preemptive strike to secure production capacity amid soaring export demand. Until now, Samyang Foods has largely relied on original equipment manufacturers to produce its liquid and powdered soup bases. The acquisition, industry insiders say, would allow the company to fast-track cost savings by making key ingredients in-house. The deal could also send ripples through the industry, as rival clients previously supplied by GnF may now be forced to seek alternative sources for their seasonings. Meanwhile, Nongshim Holdings, the parent company of food and beverage giant Nongshim, announced last Friday that it will acquire 100 percent of local sauce maker Sewoo for nearly 100 billion won in August. Sewoo, known for its family ties to Nongshim Chairman Shin Dong-won, has been a key supplier of soup ingredients for Nongshim's flagship product Shin Ramyun. The company recorded 136.8 billion won in revenue and 10.6 billion won in operating profit last year. With the acquisition, Nongshim is expected to strengthen its in-house capabilities in seasoning and sauce production, enhancing both product quality and manufacturing efficiency. 'We decided to acquire Sewoo to reinforce synergies across our food manufacturing supply chain and boost product competitiveness,' a Nongshim Holdings official said, adding that the group plans to continue expanding its food business through strategic acquisitions. With global demand for Korean ramyeon rising and pressures mounting from stricter quality standards and supply chain instability overseas, in-house soup production offers a strategic hedge for ingredient stability and cost control, according to industry officials. 'Bringing it in-house allows for more precise control and easier adaptation to overseas markets,' one industry insider said. 'Given ramyeon's heavy reliance on the soup base for taste and quality, it not only helps prevent technology leaks but also secures a stable supply chain." Samyang Foods generated nearly 80 percent of its total revenue from overseas markets last year, while Nongshim earned just under 40 percent of its revenue abroad. Soup bases, known for their complex blend of ingredients, signal a broader shift in how Korea's food conglomerates approach sauce production, as even a minor change in formulation can dramatically alter the flavor. 'Soup bases also have broad applications beyond ramyeon, including in frozen foods and the wider seasoning market,' another industry official noted. - The Korea Herald/ANN

Ringgit ends slightly lower against US dollar ahead of Fed rate decision
Ringgit ends slightly lower against US dollar ahead of Fed rate decision

The Star

time2 hours ago

  • The Star

Ringgit ends slightly lower against US dollar ahead of Fed rate decision

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit reversed its morning gains to close slightly lower against the US dollar today, as traders turned cautious ahead of the United States (US) Federal Reserve's (Fed) interest rate decision, amid uncertainty over a potential cut. At 6 pm, the local note eased to 4.2410/2455 versus the greenback from yesterday's close of 4.2320/2365. The two-day Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, taking place from July 29 to 30 in Washington, is expected to provide key guidance on the Fed's monetary policy direction. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the ringgit was higher against the US dollar during the morning session at RM4.2278, but weakened later in the day. However, he said the ringgit's weakness was capped by positive news following the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) upward revisions to global and Malaysian gross domestic product (GDP) forecasts. "The IMF has revised its 2025 global GDP growth forecast from 2.8 per cent to three per cent, citing that the front-loading activities and the US's willingness to reduce tariffs have helped improve the economic outlook. "By extension, Malaysia's 2025 GDP was revised upward from 4.1 per cent to 4.5 per cent. Improved trade predictability should be viewed positively, as this would enhance the contribution from the external demand,' he told Bernama. Mohd Afzanizam opined that trade negotiations with the US among various countries, including Malaysia, remain an ongoing affair, as both parties continue to seek a middle ground to address the trade imbalances. "Perhaps, this will set the right context for the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which will promote structural reforms that could be beneficial for the ringgit in the long run,' he added. The 13MP will be tabled on Thursday by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Parliament. At the close, the ringgit ended lower against major currencies. It fell against the Japanese yen to 2.8646/8678 from 2.8479/8511 at the close on Tuesday, depreciated versus the British pound to 5.6745/6805 from 5.6518/6578 yesterday, and edged lower against the euro to 4.8996/9048 from 4.8990/9042 previously. The ringgit was mixed against regional peers. It was lower against the Indonesian rupiah at 258.5/258.9 from yesterday's 257.8/258.2, weakened against the Singapore dollar to 3.2919/2957 from 3.2875/2913, but improved against the Philippine peso to 7.36/7.38 from 7.38/7.39, and inched up versus the Thai baht to 13.0528/0719 from 13.0537/0740 previously. - Bernama

Ringgit ends slightly lower against US dollar ahead of Fed rate decision
Ringgit ends slightly lower against US dollar ahead of Fed rate decision

New Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Ringgit ends slightly lower against US dollar ahead of Fed rate decision

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit reversed its morning gains to close slightly lower against the US dollar today, as traders turned cautious ahead of the United States (US) Federal Reserve's (Fed) interest rate decision, amid uncertainty over a potential cut. At 6pm, the local note eased to 4.2410/2455 versus the greenback from yesterday's close of 4.2320/2365. The two-day Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, taking place from July 29 to 30 in Washington, is expected to provide key guidance on the Fed's monetary policy direction. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the ringgit was higher against the US dollar during the morning session at RM4.2278, but weakened later in the day. However, he said the ringgit's weakness was capped by positive news following the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) upward revisions to global and Malaysian gross domestic product (GDP) forecasts. "The IMF has revised its 2025 global GDP growth forecast from 2.8 per cent to three per cent, citing that the front-loading activities and the US's willingness to reduce tariffs have helped improve the economic outlook. "By extension, Malaysia's 2025 GDP was revised upward from 4.1 per cent to 4.5 per cent. Improved trade predictability should be viewed positively, as this would enhance the contribution from the external demand," he told Bernama. Mohd Afzanizam opined that trade negotiations with the US among various countries, including Malaysia, remain an ongoing affair, as both parties continue to seek a middle ground to address the trade imbalances. "Perhaps, this will set the right context for the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which will promote structural reforms that could be beneficial for the ringgit in the long run," he added. The 13MP will be tabled on Thursday by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Parliament. At the close, the ringgit ended lower against major currencies. It fell against the Japanese yen to 2.8646/8678 from 2.8479/8511 at the close on Tuesday, depreciated versus the British pound to 5.6745/6805 from 5.6518/6578 yesterday, and edged lower against the euro to 4.8996/9048 from 4.8990/9042 previously. The ringgit was mixed against regional peers. It was lower against the Indonesian rupiah at 258.5/258.9 from yesterday's 257.8/258.2, weakened against the Singapore dollar to 3.2919/2957 from 3.2875/2913, but improved against the Philippine peso to 7.36/7.38 from 7.38/7.39, and inched up versus the Thai baht to 13.0528/0719 from 13.0537/0740 previously.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store