MONEY MASTER

Gold steadied near the $4,000 level after softer US inflation data reduced expectations of aggressive rate hikes. While the metal has pulled back from its recent highs, easing yields and a weaker dollar are helping to stabilise prices. Gold is no longer driven by fear alone, it is now highly sensitive to interest-rate expectations. What’s Happening Inflation came in softer than expected PCE rose 0.4% → below expectations Reduces urgency for rate hikes Rate-hike expectations easing Lower probability of near-term hikes Bond yields declined Dollar momentum slowing Recent rally paused Supports gold prices Gold stabilising near $4,000 After recent sharp pullback Still heading for a fourth weekly loss What Changed Gold’s recent weakness reflects a shift: Earlier rally driven by  geopolitics + debt concerns Now pressured by  “higher-for-longer” rate expectations The market is transitioning from: Fear-driven buying → Rate-driven pricing KeyTakeaway The key driver for gold is no longer...

Global markets slipped back into  risk-off mode  as renewed hostilities between the US and Iran unsettled investors, overshadowing positive economic data and reinforcing geopolitical-driven volatility. Asian Stocks Slide Amid Renewed Tensions The  MSCI Asia-Pacific ex-Japan Index  fell  0.8% , reflecting broad regional weakness: Nikkei 225   -1.3% Kospi   -2.0% The decline follows a  sell-off on Wall Street , where the  S&P 500  dropped  0.7% . Oil and Geopolitics Drive Market Sentiment Markets were shaken after  fresh exchanges of fire between the US and Iran , raising concerns over: Energy supply disruptions Prolonged instability in the  Middle East While Brent crude initially surged, it later eased to around  US$97 per barrel , reflecting  conflicting signals on ceasefire progress . Economic Data Takes a Back Seat Stronger US data failed to lift sentiment: ISM services PMI improved , indicating resilient d...

Gold is heading for its  worst weekly performance in over four decades , as escalating Middle East tensions drive  higher oil prices, rising bond yields, and a stronger US dollar , eroding demand for the non-yielding asset. Sharp Selloff Driven by Rate Expectations Gold prices dropped sharply, with bullion falling  over 3% to around US$4,509 per ounce , marking an  eight-day losing streak . The key driver has been a shift in monetary expectations: Markets now see a  50% probability of a rate hike by October Expectations for  rate cuts have diminished significantly Higher interest rates reduce gold’s appeal, as it  does not generate yield , making it less attractive compared to bonds and cash. War Escalation Fuels Inflation and Dollar Strength The ongoing conflict in the Middle East — including potential  US ground troop deployment and increased military presence  — has pushed  energy prices higher , reinforcing inflation risks. As a resu...

Gold prices edged lower on Wednesday as investors adopted a  wait-and-see approach ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s policy decision , while ongoing tensions in the Middle East continued to shape the broader inflation outlook. Gold Under Pressure Ahead of Fed Guidance Spot gold declined  0.4% to US$4,984 per ounce , slipping below the key  US$5,000 level , while US gold futures showed a similar drop. The near-term direction for gold is increasingly tied to  Fed forward guidance , particularly whether policymakers signal: Potential rate cuts later this year , or A shift toward  prolonged higher interest rates Higher interest rates typically  weigh on gold , as they increase the appeal of yield-bearing assets. Geopolitical Risks Provide Underlying Support Despite the pullback, gold continues to draw support from  elevated geopolitical risks , particularly the escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the US. The  Strait of Hormuz remains large...

Global markets extended losses as a widening Middle East conflict triggered another spike in oil and natural gas prices, intensifying concerns about inflation and the global economic outlook. Europe Leads Sell-Off STOXX Europe 600  plunged 2.7% in early trading — its steepest one-day drop since April — after already sliding 1.7% the previous session. US markets looked set to follow: S&P 500 Index  futures fell 1.6% This follows a volatile Wall Street session where stocks recovered late but failed to ease broader concerns. Key Point: Markets are pricing the conflict primarily as an inflation shock driven by surging energy costs. Oil and Gas Spike Sharply Brent crude  rose another 4.2% to US$80.96, up more than 11% for the week. Natural gas markets saw even sharper moves: European LNG prices jumped 25% Tuesday after surging 39% Monday US natural gas futures gained nearly 6% Qatar halted LNG production, affecting roughly 20% of global supply, while Iran declared the Stra...

Quick Summary Gold rose 0.5% to US$5,174  amid US tariff uncertainty Markets expect  three Fed rate cuts in 2026 Silver and platinum also advanced Traders watching key resistance near  US$5,205–US$5,244 Safe-Haven Demand Returns Gold prices rebounded in Asian trading as investors sought safety following fresh confusion over US trade policy. Spot gold:  US$5,174.76 (+0.5%) US April futures:  US$5,192.20 (+0.3%) The move comes after the US Supreme Court struck down a batch of tariff measures introduced by President  Donald Trump , creating renewed policy uncertainty. Although Washington began collecting a temporary 10% global import tariff, officials are reportedly working to raise it to 15%, adding to market confusion. Key point: Policy uncertainty is reviving demand for defensive assets. Fed Outlook Supports Bullion Two US Federal Reserve officials signalled  no urgency to adjust interest rates . Markets now expect: Three 25-basis-point cuts this year ...

Quick Summary Trump officially picked Kevin Warsh to replace Jerome Powell as Fed chair US stock futures fell , while  gold and silver plunged sharply Crypto markets saw US$1.7B liquidations  amid policy shock Apple and SanDisk delivered strong earnings , led by China recovery and pricing power Key Market Developments Trump Picks Kevin Warsh as Fed Chair President  Donald Trump  confirmed he will nominate  Kevin Warsh  to succeed  Jerome Powell  when Powell’s term ends in May. Market interpretation: Warsh is  supportive of lower rates , but Cautious on heavy stimulus and Fed balance-sheet expansion This reinforced expectations of  tighter liquidity , even if rate cuts resume later in the year. Before the Bell: Market Reaction Nasdaq 100 futures:   -0.39% S&P 500 futures:   -0.27% Dow futures:   -0.22% US dollar:   +0.21% Precious metals were hit hard: Gold:   -4.62% , briefly  below US$5,000 Silver: ...

Gold and silver surged to fresh record highs as investors rushed into  safe-haven assets , driven by escalating geopolitical tensions, a weaker US dollar, and expectations of  further US interest rate cuts . What’s Driving the Rally Geopolitical risk spikes , particularly renewed US–Iran tensions US dollar weakness , making precious metals cheaper for global buyers Expectations of Fed rate cuts , with markets eyeing June as the next move Strong ETF inflows , signalling institutional demand Spot gold climbed  2.1% to US$5,513 , after touching a peak near  US$5,595 , marking  nine consecutive sessions of record highs . The metal is now  up 28% for January . Silver followed closely,  breaking above US$120  and extending its year-to-date gain to nearly  64% . Geopolitics Back in Focus US President  Donald Trump  urged Iran to negotiate a nuclear deal, warning of stronger retaliation than previous US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities...

Quick Summary Global equities advanced  as investors leaned on earnings optimism Gold and silver hit fresh record highs  on safe-haven demand Oil prices jumped  on renewed US–Iran tensions Rate-cut expectations eased  after the Fed signalled a prolonged pause Stocks Hold Firm on Earnings Optimism World shares edged higher on Thursday as markets looked to  corporate earnings  to support valuations, even as expectations for near-term US rate cuts faded. Euro STOXX 600  rose  0.5% , supported by strength in  energy and basic resources UK, France and Spain posted gains, while  Germany slipped 0.6% S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures  rose around  0.3%  each Investors are closely watching results from  Apple , with analysts at  JPMorgan  expecting earnings to  beat consensus , driven by stronger-than-expected  iPhone 17 demand  and slower cost growth. Fed Signals: Last Cut May Be Behind Us The  Fed...

Gold prices surged to an all-time high above US$5,200 an ounce , driven by a sharp drop in the US dollar, rising geopolitical tensions, and growing bets on a more dovish Federal Reserve. Quick Summary Gold hits record above US$5,200  on safe-haven demand Trump dismisses dollar weakness , pressuring FX markets Bets on a dovish Fed  support bullion prices Silver outperforms , up over 50% this year What’s Driving the Gold Rally US dollar weakness  after President  Donald Trump  said he was unconcerned about the currency’s decline Flight from sovereign bonds and currencies , including US Treasuries and Japanese government bonds Geopolitical risks  and renewed concerns over  Fed independence Rising expectations of lower interest rates , which benefit non-yielding assets like gold Gold has now  gained about 20% year-to-date , breaking above  US$5,000 for the first time this week , while  silver has surged more than 50%  over the same peri...

Gold’s rally is far from over.  Goldman Sachs  has  raised its end-2026 gold price forecast by US$500 to US$5,400 per ounce , citing sustained demand from private investors and emerging-market central banks seeking diversification. What’s Driving the Upgrade The bank said gold demand linked to  global policy uncertainty and reserve diversification  is proving more durable than expected. Key point:   Goldman now assumes diversification-driven buyers will not unwind their positions in 2026 , effectively lifting the baseline for gold prices. Spot gold recently touched a record high of  US$4,887.82/oz , and the metal is already  up more than 11% in 2026 , after a  64% surge in 2025 . Central Banks and ETFs Remain Supportive Goldman expects: Emerging-market central banks  to continue buying gold, averaging  ~60 tonnes in 2026 Western gold ETF holdings  to rise as monetary policy eases The bank also expects the  Federal Reserve ...

  Quick Market Summary US stock futures slid sharply  as trade tensions between the US and Europe escalated. Risk-off sentiment pushed  gold and silver to record highs , while  Bitcoin retreated . Investors are bracing for renewed  geopolitical and trade-driven volatility . US Futures: Risk-Off Mode Dow futures:  -400 pts ( -0.9% ) S&P 500 futures:   -1.0% Nasdaq-100 futures:   -1.1% Futures weakness comes ahead of Tuesday’s reopening after the  Martin Luther King Jr. Day  holiday. Key point:   US equities face renewed pressure after two straight weeks of losses. Trade Tensions Escalate: Greenland in Focus Donald Trump  threatened  new tariffs on Europe  if Denmark refuses to sell Greenland to the US. 10% tariffs  on imports from eight European countries effective  Feb 1 . Tariffs could rise to  25% by June 1  if no agreement is reached. Countries affected include  Denmark, UK, France, and...