📊 Market Snapshot

  • 🥇 Gold (XAUUSD): $4,332.15 (-0.21%), intraday range $4,313.49 – $4,361.99
  • 🛢️ WTI Crude (USOIL): $78.84 (-3.26%), intraday range $77.01 – $79.05

🔥 Key News This Hour

1. Fed Governor Cook Charged

White House National Economic Council Director Hassett said he hopes Cook is right to plead not guilty, declined to comment on the charges, and made clear he would not fill her Fed governor seat. If Cook departs, it would affect the Fed’s board composition and FOMC voting balance.

2. Japan-US Joint Yen Intervention — First in 28 Years

According to Kyodo News, BOJ Governor Ueda’s hint at a September rate hike was the decisive factor behind the joint Japan-US yen-buying intervention on July 31. This marks the first such coordinated action in 28 years. USD/JPY dropped about 40 pips to 158.41 before recovering to 158.67.

3. Boeing to Acquire Stake in Archer Aviation

Boeing plans to acquire a stake in eVTOL company Archer Aviation, sending Archer shares up 15% in premarket trading. A traditional aerospace giant enters the flying car space.

4. Anthropic Partners with Macquarie and GIC for AI Data Centers

Anthropic has established a strategic partnership with Macquarie and Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC. The new entity, Theseus I, will build data centers for Claude developers, further expanding US AI infrastructure investment.

5. Colombia Hit by 6.7 Magnitude Earthquake

Colombia’s Geological Service reported the epicenter near Chocó province, depth 82km. Strong tremors were felt in the capital Bogotá. No major casualties reported so far.

🧭 Assessment

WTI crude oil plunged over 3%, combined with gold’s slight decline, indicating pressure on commodities.

The Japan-US joint yen intervention is the most significant macro event this hour — Ueda’s hint at a September rate hike suggests yen carry trade unwinding may continue, posing valuation pressure on global risk assets.

Fed Governor Cook’s charges add monetary policy uncertainty. A vacant board seat would alter the FOMC voting balance.

Boeing’s planned acquisition of Archer Aviation shares brings traditional aerospace endorsement to the eVTOL sector, worth watching.

This week’s US CPI data will be released soon, and the inflation trend will directly influence Fed September decision expectations.

⏰ Upcoming Key Data

  • US CPI data this week (market focused on inflation trend)
  • BOJ September rate decision (Ueda has hinted at possible hike)