The U.S. dollar slipped lower Wednesday ahead of the conclusion of the latest Federal Reserve rate-setting meeting, while the Japanese yen soared after the Bank of Japan tightened its monetary policy.  

At 05:20 ET (09:20 GMT), the Dollar Index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six other currencies, traded 0.3% lower to 103.992, moving within a tight range.

Oil prices rose in early Asian trading on Thursday, extending strong gains in the previous session after the killing of a Hamas leader in Iran raised the threat of a wider Middle East conflict and on signs of strong oil demand in the U.S.

Global benchmark Brent crude futures rose 67 cents, or 0.8%, to $81.51 per barrel by 0007 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 69 cents, or 0.9%, to $78.60 per barrel.

Gold prices extended gains on Wednesday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell hinted that an interest rate cut could be on the table as early as September if inflation stays in line with expectations.

Spot gold was up 1.2% at $2,437.39 per ounce as of 3:21 p.m. ET (1921 GMT) and logged its biggest monthly rise since March, gaining over 4%. U.S. gold futures settled 0.9% higher at $2,473.

The U.S. dollar traded largely flat Tuesday, with traders wary ahead of the start of the latest Federal Reserve rate-setting meeting.  

At 05:10 ET (09:10 GMT), the Dollar Index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six other currencies, traded just higher at 104.342, moving within a tight range.

Oil prices fell sharply Tuesday as concerns about demand growth in China, the world's largest crude importer, and fears about potentially supply surplus continued to weigh on sentiment just ahead of fresh U.S. crude inventory data.

At 14:30 ET (18:30 GMT), Brent oil futures fell 1.2% to $78.80 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude futures dropped 1.4% to $74.74 a barrel. 

Serial tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has taken part in today’s X Takeover podcast hosted by the Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) Owners Silicon Valley account. It was held on Musk’s X social media platform. Parts of this video have been reposted by various active members of the DOGE army on the same app.

On that podcast, Musk answered a question about what he thinks about Bitcoin now, and also about YouTube videos where he was caught speaking about Bitcoin two years ago.

Gold prices rose in Asian trade on Monday, recovering more ground from a rout through most of July as focus turned to an upcoming Federal Reserve meeting where the central bank is expected to provide more cues on interest rate cuts.

The yellow metal was also aided by weakness in the dollar, which retreated after key inflation data on Friday pointed to some easing in U.S. inflation- a scenario that gives the Fed more confidence to reduce borrowing rates.

The U.S. dollar edged higher in early European trade Monday, helped by a safe-haven bid as tensions rise in the Middle East, while sterling retreats ahead of this week’s Bank of England policy-setting meeting.  

At 04:50 ET (08:50 GMT), the Dollar Index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six other currencies, traded 0.2% higher at 104.247.

Oil prices settled higher Thursday after cutting intraday losses after stronger U.S. economy data helped improve sentiment on crude demand just as China oil imports fell. 

At 14:30 ET (18:30 GMT), West Texas Intermediate crude futures expiring in September rose 0.7% to $82.11 a barrel, while Brent oil futures gained 0.5% to $82.11 a barrel. 

Gold prices fell in Asian trade on Thursday, seeing little safe haven demand despite increasing risk-off sentiment as traders rode a sharp appreciation in the Japanese yen. 

A rout in broader commodity markets also raged on, with copper prices extended a sinking to a near four-month low amid persistent concerns over top importer China. Weak readings on manufacturing activity from the U.S., Germany and Japan also soured copper’s outlook.