Mapping the Market: Gold approaches potential crossroads

IRAN'S GHALIBAF STATES NO MEASURES WILL BE TAKEN UNTIL THE OTHER PARTY TAKES ACTION. Iran's Galibaf: We have no trust in guarantees or words; only actions are the measures, no action will be taken before the other side acts. Translation | 1- We seize concessions not through dialogue, but with missiles; in negotiations, we merely make them understand. 2- We have no trust in guarantees or words—only actions are the measure. No action will be taken before the other side acts. 3- The winner of any…

Real gross domestic product (GDP) was unchanged in the first quarter of 2026, after declining 0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2025. Higher imports of goods, particularly gold, were offset by accumulations of business inventories. Decreased business and government capital investment was counterbalanced by higher household spending, as final domestic demand edged 0.1% lower. On a per capita basis, real GDP increased 0.2% in the first quarter of 2026, as the population declined for a second consecutive quarter and GDP remained unchanged. Imports rose 2.9% in the first quarter of 2026, with roughly half of the rise coming from intermediate metal products and waste and scrap metal, both of which were driven by gold imports. Excluding these two categories, imports rose at less than half the pace (+1.2%), led by higher purchases of passenger cars and light trucks and industrial machinery and equipment. In contrast, imports of pharmaceuticals and medicinal products declined in the first quarter, as did travel imports, as fewer Canadians travelled abroad. Canada Dips Into Technical Recession for First Time Since 2020 - The Canadian economy edged into a technical recession as weak business and government spending drove a slight contraction in the first quarter. -Real gross domestic product fell by 0.1% on an annualized basis…

The international trade deficit was $82.4 billion in April, down $2.9 billion from $85.3 billion in March. Exports of goods for April were $219.7 billion, $8.5 billion more than ...

Fed's Bowman: It was good for the Fed to keep easing bias in the April 29th policy statement Fed's Bowman: Reacting to temporary energy shock could weigh down the economy. Fed's Bowman: The Fed's current 'moderately restrictive’ policy aimed at aiding jobs and lowering inflation FED'S BOWMAN STATED SHE MAY CHANGE POLICY VIEW IF WAR-RELATED INFLATION SPREADS. Bowman: A Framework for Practical Monetary Policy Decision Making Good afternoon. I would like to thank Governor Jónsson for the invitation to take part in the Central Bank of Iceland's Reykjavík Economic Conference. It is a pleasure to be here in Reykjavík with you and to share my thoughts on formulating a practical approach to monetary policy decision making. As you know, the Federal Reserve conducts monetary policy to support a strong and stable economy. In doing so, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) pursues the congressionally mandated goals of maximum employment and price stability. The Fed uses a variety of tools to carry out its monetary policy strategy and implementation. Our primary monetary policy tool is the federal funds rate, which is a key interest rate for commercial bank overnight borrowing that influences other interest rates throughout financial markets and the economy. Lower interest rates reduce borrowing costs and tend to raise asset prices and wealth, thereby stimulating consumer spending and business investment—especially on vehicles and other durables goods, housing, and equipment and intangibles—and, ultimately, supporting employment. By stimulating demand, lower interest rates also have the potential to raise inflation. In contrast, higher interest rates generally exert a drag on economic activity and employment and tend to lower inflation. Over my tenure on the Board and the FOMC, we revised our monetary policy framework twice. While I appreciate that frameworks may evolve over time, I am pleased that the FOMC returned the framework to basic principles last year. Since joining the Board in 2018, the Committee has faced a number of significant economic challenges—including both very high inflation and unemployment, and many economic shocks. This experience has given me valuable perspective in assessing economic conditions and the balance of risks

FED'S PAULSON SAYS INFLATION ISSUES ARE AFFECTING THE ECONOMY. FED'S PAULSON SAYS MONETARY POLICY IS CURRENTLY AT A MILDLY RESTRICTIVE LEVEL. FED'S PAULSON STATES INFLATION REMAINS EXCESSIVE AND WAS HIGH PRIOR TO THE WAR. Fed's Paulson: Consumers are spending but at a slower pace PAULSON SAYS IT'S GOOD FOR MARKETS TO MOVE TOWARD TIGHTER MONETARY POLICY.