πŸ“Š Market Snapshot

  • Spot Gold XAUUSD: $4,406.80 (Day High 4,415.92 / Day Low 4,362.58)
  • WTI Crude USOIL: $82.557 (Day High 83.092 / Day Low 82.224)
  • Spot Silver: $66.00 (+2.06% intraday)
  • A-Shares: Shanghai Composite +0.32% at 3,946.68; Shenzhen Component +1.09% at 14,414.43; ChiNext +1.49%

πŸ”₯ Key News This Hour

1. IEA Monthly Oil Market Report Imminent

IEA to release its monthly oil market report around 16:00 Beijing time. Focus on global supply-demand outlook and OPEC+ production policy assessment.

2. US July CPI Previews: Inflation Pressure May Have Peaked

Multiple institutions forecast US July CPI m/m at 0.0%-0.1% (prior: -0.4%). Wells Fargo believes the worst inflationary impact from tariffs and Middle East conflicts has passed, with price increases driven by a few categories rather than broad-based upward pressure.

3. Putin Warns West: Seizing Russian Vessels Is “Piracy”

Putin stated that EU nations seizing Russian merchant ships constitutes piracy and Russia will take corresponding measures. He also accused NATO of expanding into the Asia-Pacific and noted escalating tensions in the Arctic.

4. Foxconn: Strong AI Demand, “Off-Season No Longer Exists”

Foxconn reported very strong AI server growth, stating that driven by AI demand, “the off-season no longer exists.” 2026 AI cabinet shipments expected to grow multiples year-over-year. Expanding production in Texas and Wisconsin; positive outlook for next year with continued capex increases.

5. Former Mossad Chief Reveals Operations Near Iranian Nuclear Facilities

Former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen disclosed that Israeli covert operatives had visited Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility multiple times, suggesting deep intelligence penetration of Iran’s nuclear program.

6. Japan-Iran Discuss De-escalating Middle East Tensions

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi spoke with Iranian President Pezeshkian by phone, discussing de-escalation of Middle East tensions and Hormuz Strait transit issues.

7. ADNOC Proposes “Dark Transshipment” Strategy to Help Iraq Export Oil

UAE’s ADNOC proposed helping Iraq transport oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz using a “dark transshipment” strategy, moving Basrah crude to Asian refineries.

8. US Rescinds Federal TikTok Ban

The US government revoked the directive banning TikTok on federal government devices, citing that TikTok’s US business restructuring no longer poses a national security threat.

🧭 Market Assessment

Gold holds above $4,400 with geopolitical risk premium providing continued support β€” Putin’s warnings to the West, Mossad’s penetration of Iranian nuclear facilities, and ongoing Middle East uncertainty sustain safe-haven demand.

Silver breaks $66 to hit new highs, up 2.06%, with the precious metals sector broadly stronger on a combination of safe-haven and industrial demand expectations.

Crude oil trades in a narrow range with WTI consolidating in the $82-83 band, as markets await directional guidance from the IEA monthly report.

The ADNOC-Iraq oil export story is worth monitoring β€” if a “dark transshipment” mechanism through Hormuz materializes, it could alter regional crude export dynamics.

US July CPI due tonight with institutions broadly expecting easing inflation pressure; a softer-than-expected print would reinforce rate-cut expectations and benefit risk assets.

Foxconn’s optimistic AI demand outlook further validates high prosperity in the AI supply chain, with multiple-fold growth in AI server shipments supporting tech sector sentiment.

A-shares extend their rebound, with ChiNext leading at +1.49%; consumer discretionary sector intraday surge signals improving market sentiment.

⏰ Upcoming Key Data

  • πŸ“Œ IEA Monthly Oil Market Report β€” Today ~16:00 CST
  • πŸ“Œ US July CPI β€” Tonight 20:30 CST
  • πŸ“Œ LME Copper, Aluminum, Nickel Inventory Changes β€” Today ~16:00 CST