Gold prices fall amid easing geopolitical tensions, outlook
KUWAIT: Gold prices recorded a sharp decline last week, with the price of an ounce dropping to USD 3,274, reflecting a daily loss of more than 1.5 percent, according to a report issued Sunday by Dar Al-Sabaik Company. The drop was attributed to a decline in geopolitical tensions and signs of improvement in global trade activity. A specialist at Dar Al-Sabaik explained that the retreat in gold prices was largely driven by easing concerns in the Middle East, notably the reduced tension between the Zionist entity and Iran. Media reports indicating a potential end to the conflict in Gaza within two weeks further contributed to the decline in demand for gold as a safe-haven asset.
The report noted that progress in the global trade arena also weighed on gold prices. A formal agreement was recently signed between the United States and China to resolve ongoing trade disputes, with additional agreements expected before July 9, potentially involving countries such as South Korea, Vietnam, and members of the European Union. Under the agreement, China will expedite shipments of rare metals, while the US will lift certain retaliatory trade measures - a move that has bolstered confidence in global trade recovery.
In addition, recent US economic data showed the core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index rose to 2.7 percent in May, surpassing market expectations. Meanwhile, the overall inflation rate held steady at 2.3 percent, reinforcing expectations of a potential interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve in September. The report further highlighted a rise in consumer confidence as measured by the University of Michigan index, along with declining inflation expectations among US households. These factors boosted equity markets, with the Nasdaq and S&P indices hitting record highs. Similarly, Asian markets reached their highest levels in more than three years. Despite a decline in the US dollar index and steady bond yields, gold failed to capitalize on the positive indicators, showing signs of temporary weakness as a hedge against market volatility. — KUNA
Dar Al-Sabaik's report suggested that unless new factors emerge to support gold's upward trajectory, the market may witness a deeper price correction amid ongoing uncertainty. Global markets are now closely watching key developments, including the conclusion of US trade negotiations before the July 9 deadline for customs tariffs, and the upcoming European Central Bank forum. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and several central bank governors are expected to speak on the future of monetary policy.
Markets are also anticipating a series of economic reports this week, including US job data, inflation figures in the Euro-zone, and activity indicators from China, Germany, Japan, and Australia. On the domestic front, the report stated that the price of 24-karat gold stood at KD 32.32 (approximately USD 99) per gram, while 22-karat gold was priced at KD 29.62 (around USD 91). The price of silver reached KD 402 per kilogram (about USD 1,313). The ounce—commonly used in precious metal markets—is equal to 31.103 grams. — KUNA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab Times
3 hours ago
- Arab Times
Asian shares mixed after US stocks hit all-time high
BANGKOK, June 30, (AP): Asian shares started the week with gains after US stocks closed at an all-time high following their recovery from the shocks of the Trump administration's trade policies. Canada's decision to cancel a plan to tax US echnology firms that had led President Donald Trump to halt trade talks helped to steady the markets. US stock futures advanced after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the talks had resumed. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 climbed 0.6% to 40,395.99. Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost 0.3% to 24,207.36, while the Shanghai Composite index advanced 0.5% to 3,438.46. China reported that its factory activity improved slightly in June after Beijing and Washington agreed in May to postpone imposing higher tariffs on each others' exports, though manufacturing remained in contraction. In South Korea, the Kospi gained 0.5% to 3,070.93. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 jumped 0.6% to 8,560.80. Taiwan's Taiex lost 1.4% and the Sensex in India was down 0.4%. In Bangkok, the SET was up 0.3%. On Friday, the S&P 500 rose 0.5% to 6,173.07, above its previous record set in February. The key measure of Wall Street's health fell nearly 20% from Feb 19 through April 8. The Nasdaq composite gained 0.5% to 20,273.46, its own all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1% to 43,819.27. The gains on Friday were broad, with nearly every sector within the S&P 500 rising. Nike soared 15.2% for the biggest gain in the market, despite warning of a steep hit from tariffs. An update on inflation Friday showed prices ticked higher in May, though the rate mostly matched economists' projections. Inflation remains a big concern. Trump's on-again-off-again tariff policy has made it difficult for companies to make financial forecasts and strained household budgets. A long list of businesses from carmakers to retailers have warned that higher import taxes will likely hurt their revenues and profits.
Kuwait Times
15 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Gold prices fall amid easing geopolitical tensions, outlook
KUWAIT: Gold prices recorded a sharp decline last week, with the price of an ounce dropping to USD 3,274, reflecting a daily loss of more than 1.5 percent, according to a report issued Sunday by Dar Al-Sabaik Company. The drop was attributed to a decline in geopolitical tensions and signs of improvement in global trade activity. A specialist at Dar Al-Sabaik explained that the retreat in gold prices was largely driven by easing concerns in the Middle East, notably the reduced tension between the Zionist entity and Iran. Media reports indicating a potential end to the conflict in Gaza within two weeks further contributed to the decline in demand for gold as a safe-haven asset. The report noted that progress in the global trade arena also weighed on gold prices. A formal agreement was recently signed between the United States and China to resolve ongoing trade disputes, with additional agreements expected before July 9, potentially involving countries such as South Korea, Vietnam, and members of the European Union. Under the agreement, China will expedite shipments of rare metals, while the US will lift certain retaliatory trade measures - a move that has bolstered confidence in global trade recovery. In addition, recent US economic data showed the core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index rose to 2.7 percent in May, surpassing market expectations. Meanwhile, the overall inflation rate held steady at 2.3 percent, reinforcing expectations of a potential interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve in September. The report further highlighted a rise in consumer confidence as measured by the University of Michigan index, along with declining inflation expectations among US households. These factors boosted equity markets, with the Nasdaq and S&P indices hitting record highs. Similarly, Asian markets reached their highest levels in more than three years. Despite a decline in the US dollar index and steady bond yields, gold failed to capitalize on the positive indicators, showing signs of temporary weakness as a hedge against market volatility. — KUNA Dar Al-Sabaik's report suggested that unless new factors emerge to support gold's upward trajectory, the market may witness a deeper price correction amid ongoing uncertainty. Global markets are now closely watching key developments, including the conclusion of US trade negotiations before the July 9 deadline for customs tariffs, and the upcoming European Central Bank forum. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and several central bank governors are expected to speak on the future of monetary policy. Markets are also anticipating a series of economic reports this week, including US job data, inflation figures in the Euro-zone, and activity indicators from China, Germany, Japan, and Australia. On the domestic front, the report stated that the price of 24-karat gold stood at KD 32.32 (approximately USD 99) per gram, while 22-karat gold was priced at KD 29.62 (around USD 91). The price of silver reached KD 402 per kilogram (about USD 1,313). The ounce—commonly used in precious metal markets—is equal to 31.103 grams. — KUNA
Kuwait Times
15 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Trump cuts off trade talks with Canada
New move plunges US-Canada relations back into chaos WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump abruptly cut off trade talks with Canada on Friday over its tax targeting US technology firms, saying that it was a 'blatant attack' and that he would set a new tariff rate on Canadian goods within the next week. The move plunges US-Canada relations back into chaos after a period of relative calm that included a cordial G7 meeting in mid-June where Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney agreed to wrap up a new economic agreement within 30 days. It also came just hours after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent struck an upbeat tone on trade, touting progress had been made with China on reviving the flow of critical minerals for the US manufacturing sector and in other key tariff negotiations. The often-chaotic rollout of Trump's import levies since his return to office this year has frequently whipsawed financial markets, and have begun to weigh on consumer spending, the bedrock of the US economy. US stocks were briefly batted lower by his broadside against Canada, but the S&P 500 and Nasdaq managed to close out the week at record highs. Trump's action comes ahead of Canada's plans to begin collecting on Monday a previously enacted digital services tax on US technology firms, including Amazon, Meta, Alphabet's Google and Apple, among others. The tax is 3 percent of the digital services revenue a firm takes in from Canadian users above $20 million in a calendar year, and payments will be retroactive to 2022. Trump, in a post on his Truth Social media platform, called the tax 'a direct and blatant attack on our country' and said Canada was a 'very difficult country to TRADE with.' 'Based on this egregious Tax, we are hereby terminating ALL discussions on Trade with Canada, effective immediately,' Trump said. 'We will let Canada know the Tariff that they will be paying to do business with the United States of America within the next seven-day period.' Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said that the negotiations with Canada would not resume 'until they straighten out their act,' adding that the US holds 'such power over Canada.' Canada is the second-largest US trading partner after Mexico, and the largest buyer of USexports. It bought $349.4 billion of US goods last year and exported $412.7 billion to the US, according to US Census Bureau data. Carney's office responded to Trump's announcement by saying: 'The Canadian government will continue to engage in these complex negotiations with the United States in the best interests of Canadian workers and businesses.' Earlier on Friday, Bessent said the Trump administration's various trade deals with other countries could be done by the Sept 1 Labor Day holiday, citing talks with 18 top trade partners and another revision to a deal with China to reopen the flow of rare earth minerals and magnets. After a week where tariffs took a back seat to the US strike on Iran's nuclear facilities and the massive tax and spending bill in the US Congress, the Trump administration's trade negotiations have picked up. The United States sent a new proposal to the European Union on Thursday and India sent a delegation to Washington for more talks. 'So we have countries approaching us with very good deals,' Bessent said on Fox Business Network. 'We have 18 important trading partners. ... If we can ink 10 or 12 of the important 18, there are another important 20 relationships, then I think we could have trade wrapped up by Labor Day,' Bessent said. He did not mention any changes to a July 9 deadline for countries to reach deals with the United States or see tariffs spike higher, but Trump said at the White House that he could extend the tariff deadline or 'make it shorter.' — Reuters
