Gold falls to two-month low as war-driven inflation fuels rate-hike bets

IRAN’S FARS NEWS AGENCY: THREE EXPLOSIONS REPORTED EAST OF BANDAR ABBAS, WITH AIR DEFENCE SYSTEMS ACTIVATED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES

*US STRIKES IRAN MILITARY SITE THAT POSED A THREAT: REUTERS *US INTERCEPTED DRONES LAUNCHED FROM IRAN: REUTERS

Fed's Jefferson says monetary policy is well positioned to respond, not prejudge June meet Jefferson: Global Economic Developments and the U.S. Economy Good morning. It is an honor to be here at the Bank of Japan, and I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you today. I am looking forward to our discussion, but first I want to share some framing thoughts. I will briefly discuss three developments in the global economy that I am monitoring, and then I will update you on my outlook for the U.S. economy and the path of monetary policy. The first global development I am tracking is the significant increase in energy prices due to the conflict in the Middle East. The rise in crude oil prices poses downside risks to growth and upside risks to inflation around the globe. Elevated energy prices are particularly challenging for countries like Japan that are net energy importers. While being a net energy exporter buffers the U.S. to an extent against energy shocks, it is not immune to the effects of disruption to global supply. Gasoline prices in the U.S. increased significantly since the onset of the conflict and remain notably elevated. I am watching whether higher energy prices will start to weigh on consumer spending. The second development is the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. As a central banker, I am optimistic about AI's promise to drive productivity and growth, though I am also monitoring its effects on the labor market and inflation. And the third development is the effects of disrupted trade flows on the global economy. Since the pandemic, there have been multiple disruptions to global trade that have affected both supply and price levels. Against this global backdrop, my focus, of course, is on the U.S. economy. Recent economic growth in FED GOV JEFFERSON/BOJ INSTITUTE: VIEW RISKS TO INFLATION 'TILTED TO THE UPSIDE;' EXPECT INFLATION TO DECLINE LATER THIS YEAR #Jefferson #FederalReserve #economy FED GOV JEFFERSON/BOJ INSTITUTE: WATCHING WHETHER HIGHER ENERGY PRICES WILL START TO WEIGH ON CONSUMER SPENDING #Jefferson #FederalReserve #economy