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Welcome to this weekly housing trends update, where we bring you the latest snapshot of inventory trends, listing activity, and buyer-seller dynamics across the U.S. housing market. In addition to our monthly housing trends reports, which offer deeper insights into long-term patterns, we publish these weekly updates to provide more timely views into market changes. This effort began in response to rapid shifts in the economy and housing landscape. We recently released our midyear housing forecast for 2025, which predicts that the moderation we have seen in sales and price growth will continue throughout the rest of the calendar year. You can count on a new Weekly Housing Trends Update, fresh weekly data each Thursday, and a weekly video from our economists to help you stay informed. What this week’s data shows It was another slow week with little movement in the housing market. The flat year-over-year trends in both median listing prices and price per square foot, which adjusts for changes in home size, point to an ongoing standoff between buyers and sellers. Buyers remain hesitant, constrained by still-high prices and elevated mortgage rates. At the same time, frustrated or stubborn sellers are limiting supply—bringing fewer new listings to market and, in some cases, even pulling back existing ones—helping to keep prices from falling more sharply. Weekly housing trends highlights New listings—a measure of sellers putting homes up for sale—rose 2.7% year over year New listings rose 2.7% last week compared with the same period last year, a lower rate compared to the previous week, as the number of new listings remains below the spring and early summer norm. Homeowners are showing less urgency to list, as rising inventory and cautious buyer activity continue to temper the market. Active inventory climbed 20.3% year over year The number of homes active on the market climbed 20.3% year over year, easing slightly compared to the previous week for the 10th consecutive week. Nevertheless, last week was the 94th consecutive week of annual gains in inventory. There were roughly 1.1 million homes for sale last week, marking the 17th week in a row over the million-listing threshold. Active inventory is growing significantly faster than new listings, an indication that more homes are sitting on the market for longer. Homes spent 7 days longer on the market than a year ago The pace of home sales has been sluggish this summer as still-high housing costs and general economic uncertainty deterred would-be buyers. Facing dwindling buyer interest, many sellers are adjusting course, lowering prices or rethinking whether to sell at all. Seller adjustment to today’s market is clear in climbing price reductions and delistings this summer. The median listing price was flat year over year The median list price has been flat compared to the same week in 2024 for three weeks in a row. Meanwhile, the median list price per square foot, which accounts for changes in home size, also remained flat year over year, pausing its nearly two-year growth streak. The flattened trends in both price measurements suggest that we are entering a period of pricing stability, as buyers are squeezed by high mortgage rates and sellers are slow to adjust expectations. Read More

Freddie Mac Mortgage Rates—Aug. 28, 2025 What happened to mortgage rates this week The Freddie Mac 30-year fixed mortgage rate edged down 2 basis points, to 6.56%, notching another 10-month low. After peaking in May 2025, mortgage rates have generally pulled back, modestly and unevenly. This helped existing-home sales rise modestly in July, but new-home sales have remained sluggish and pending home sales were also lackluster in July.  Buying power has been sapped fairly broadly compared with 2019 as mortgage rates remain elevated. The median-income family nationwide saw a nearly $30,000 reduction in homebuying power this summer compared with 2019. This is one of several frustrations for participants in what’s been a cruel summer for the housing market. What it means for the housing market Looking ahead, Fed Chair Jerome Powell has set the stage for a Fed rate cut in September, assuming inflation and labor market data register as expected. This should help keep mortgage rates moving modestly lower at least until mid-September. A Fed rate cut will move today’s restrictive policy a touch closer to neutral, meaning that the Fed is easing off the monetary brakes in light of slower job growth data while still maintaining a watchful eye on inflation.  What happens after the Fed’s rate cut, however, will depend on the data. This is because while longer-term rates, like mortgage rates, are influenced by the short-end of the yield curve that the Fed adjusts, they are also affected by economic growth, labor market, and inflation expectations over the mid to longer term. Mortgage rates will continue to decline if data suggests that the labor market is weakening further or if inflation is lower than expected. Expectations are quite high for inflation, which is likely to be variable as prices adjust to tariffs. For this reason, I don’t expect rates to be quite as sensitive to higher inflation readings as we’ve seen over the past few years. The Fed is still committed to a 2% inflation target, but is expecting at least a one-time reset in prices as tariffs pass through. For homebuyers, today’s data offers a bit of relief, and we’re likely to see similar conditions in the next month or so, but with the outlook dependent on incoming data, it’s harder to say where mortgage rates might be in a few months. Shoppers who are ready would do well to take advantage of today’s trends. Read More

Buying a sofa is a big decision and often a big investment—and our experts agree: It should be. But how much should you expect to spend on a new couch? What other factors should you take into consideration? And what are the best sofas for your budget? Spoiler alert: The viral boneless teddy sofa didn’t make the cut. Read on to find out more. Meet the experts Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum, restoration duo better known as the Brownstone Boys in New York Arlyn Hernandez, design editor and former sofa manufacturer employee in California Lea Johnson, prop and interior stylist in Minnesota Loading… Your sofa will likely be the focal point of your space, so it makes sense to devote most of your budget towards buying a high-quality one.Getty Images What the experts have to say about sofas Make sure it’s the right size. Before you start browsing sofas online, you need to measure your space. “A good design guideline to keep in mind is leaving around 18 inches between your sofa and coffee table and at least 30 to 36 inches between your sofa and other furniture,” Johnson says. Choose realistic fabrics for your lifestyle. Johnson also suggests thinking hard about your fabric choice. If you have kids or pets, you’re going to want something durable. Consider leather, microfiber, or fabrics described as “performance” or “outdoor.” Hernandez also recommends asking about rub counts on fabrics. “Aim for around 20,000 for a sofa going in your main living space,” she suggests. Look for a quality frame and pillows. “Much like a mattress or a kitchen appliance, your sofa will likely see a lot of use,” say Bordelon and Slocum. “Selecting something with strong springs and structure will ensure that you and your guests are able to relax.” More specifically, Hernandez suggests looking for a kiln-dried hardwood frame, high-density foam (at least 2.0) pillows wrapped in down or Trillium, a down alternative, and a good warranty.  Loading… Interior designers recommend paying attention to the color, shape, and texture of your sofa.Getty Images Consider your style. “Since a sofa is probably the largest piece of furniture in your room, it becomes a natural design focal point,” says Johnson. When evaluating a potential sofa, she adds that it must add a dose of color, have an interesting shape, or have texture.  Spend as much as your budget allows. “I always recommend budgeting as much as you can toward it and pulling back in other areas,” Hernandez says. At minimum, she recommends spending around $800. Beyond that, the sky’s the limit.  Regardless of what your budget is, Johnson says, setting one will actually make the shopping experience easier and more fun. Once you know your price point, your options will be more limited—and you’ll avoid design paralysis. The best sofas for every budget Low: Less than $1,500 Latitude Run Minimore Sofa, $690 at Wayfair UPPLAND Sofa, $849 at IKEA Eddy Sofa, from $799 at West Elm KIVIK Sofa, $900 at IKEA Sven 88” Tufted Velvet Sofa, $1,399 at Article Medium: $1,500-$3,000 Tuxedo Sofa, $1,698 at Apt2B Mori Performance Fabric Sofa, from $1,839 at Castlery The Crosby, from $2,375 at Maiden Home Ceva 86” Sleeper Sofa, from $2,804 at CB2 Clemens 90” Sofa, from $2,899 at Room & Board High: More than $3,000 Float Sofa, $6,596 at DWR The Breuer Sofa, from $3,675 at Maiden Home Crowd Pleaser Sofa, $3,256 at Benchmade Modern Ziki 4-Piece Chaise Sectional, $5,149 at Sixpenny Monterey Modular 3-Piece Sectional, $5,897 at Crate & Barrel The realtor.com® editorial team highlights a curated selection of product recommendations for your consideration; clicking a link to the retailer that sells the product may earn us a commission. Read More

Just how important is the Indian market to online gambling titan Flutter? The world’s largest online betting firm, Flutter Entertainment Plc (NASDAQ: FLUT), officially declared on Monday that it had been forced to withdraw its real-money gaming (RMG) subsidiary ‘Junglee Games’ from the Indian iGaming market. The move was triggered as a result of new laws passed last week that banned the highly popular gambling format. In a press statement released on Monday, Flutter confirmed that it had wrapped up its Indian operations on Friday, August 22, the same day the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill was granted Presidential assent. Reacting to the news of the rule changes, Flutter’s CEO, Peter Jackson, was pushed to admit he was “extremely disappointed” with the decision before going on to warn, “We believe this change will drive customers to the unregulated market, offering limited consumer protections and providing no contribution to the local economy.” Incidentally, the news from India comes just days after Flutter’s shares rose following the announcement that its FanDuel subsidiary had penned a deal with CME Group (NASDAQ: CME) to enter the lucrative predictions market in the U.S. Contrastingly, the unexpected turn of events in India could dampen Flutter’s overall global growth predictions, particularly as Junglee was forecast to deliver $200 million in revenue and $50 million in adjusted EBITDA in 2025. However, the move to ban RMGs is a devastating blow to Junglee, which was once the nation’s most popular rummy platform, hosting over 100 million regular users. Legislative rollback rocks India’s thriving RMG sector Nevertheless, Flutter’s Junglee is certainly not the only gaming studio to be affected, with countless firms reeling from the abrupt changes made by the nation’s lawmakers. Popular platforms, including those by Dream11, MPL, and Probo, were also required to shut down their real-money game titles last week. Having pulled the plug on one of iGaming’s fastest-growing revenue sectors almost overnight, critics argue the move will undoubtedly put the brakes on India’s unprecedented online gaming boom, which was operating over 400 active game studios and RMG platforms. The Indian market was valued at over $4 billion in 2024. Market analysts have claimed the regulatory introduction outlawing RMGs could also have a negative impact on future foreign and domestic investment into the gaming industry. It makes for a worrying illustration of how the legislative about-face could completely undermine the online gaming sector, which a recent report had established was on course for a $60 billion valuation by 2034. While Flutter has reluctantly withdrawn from the Indian market, it’s India’s home-grown studios such as Dream11 and Probo that must now shift focus towards other gaming formats. For these operators, they must seek out other game models – including social sweepstakes and ad-infused games – if they are to save the sector that, up until recently, was employing over 130,000 workers in India. Detractors claim enforced player protections could backfire Furthermore, concerns have been raised by industry insiders who state that the primary initiative of protecting consumers could essentially undermine its own objective. The argument here is that, although the move will indeed protect citizens from the financial hazards associated with RMGs, by prohibiting the practice, they could indirectly be channeling gamblers to wager on riskier, unregulated platforms instead. Consequently, in doing so, India may have unwittingly just become a case study showcasing that even prosperous gaming sectors are still susceptible to sudden governmental regulatory policy shifts. Not only could the speedy nature of the decision potentially unnerve prospective investors, but it will also dent India’s sizable gaming tax revenues. That being said, should the eventual benefits of enhanced player protections supersede the financial implications, then other emerging markets may also follow suit. But, for now at least, Flutter’s high-profile exit will, in all likelihood, stem the flow of international investment into the Indian gaming ecosystem moving forward. VALUEWALK LLC is not a registered or licensed investment advisor in any jurisdiction. Nothing on this website or related properties should be considered personalized investments advice. Any investments recommended here in should be made only after consulting with your personal investment advisor and only after performing your own research and due diligence, including reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the issuer of any security. VALUEWALK LLC, its managers, its employees, affiliates and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about the advice provided on this website or what is otherwise advertised above. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. The Company disclaims any liability in the event any information, commentary, analysis, opinions, advice and/or recommendations provided herein prove to be inaccurate, incomplete or unreliable, or result in any investment or other losses. Read More

AUD/NZD pulled back from a six-month high at 1.1131, reached on Thursday. Australia’s Private Capital Expenditure climbed 0.2% in Q2, against the expected 0.7% rise. The New Zealand Dollar struggles as the RBNZ officials indicated further reductions in the coming months. AUD/NZD retreats after reaching a six-month high at 1.1131, trading around 1.1110 during the Asian hours on Thursday. However, the downside of the currency cross could be restrained as the Australian Dollar (AUD) gains ground following the release of Australia’s Private Capital Expenditure. Australia’s Private Capital Expenditure rose 0.2% in the second quarter, from the previous decline of 0.1% but fell short of the expected 0.7% increase. The AUD/USD holds ground as the US Dollar (USD) struggles over US Federal Reserve (Fed) concerns. Additionally, the AUD is also supported by hotter-than-expected Australian inflation data, which reduces expectations of a Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) rate cut. Australia’s Monthly Consumer Price Index jumped by 2.8% year-over-year in July, surpassing a 1.9% increase prior and 2.3% expected growth. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Minutes of its August monetary policy meeting suggested that board members agreed that some further reduction in the cash rate is likely to be needed in the coming year. The AUD/NZD cross may regain its ground as the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) continues to struggle after the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) cut its policy rate last week. The RBNZ officials indicated further reductions in the coming months as policymakers warned of domestic and global headwinds to growth. RBNZ Governor Christian Hawkesby noted that the policy outlook is guided by data, but emphasized that if businesses and consumers stay cautious and require additional support, it could warrant further measures. Australian Dollar Price Today The table below shows the percentage change of Australian Dollar (AUD) against listed major currencies today. Australian Dollar was the weakest against the Japanese Yen. USD EUR GBP JPY CAD AUD NZD CHF USD 0.01% -0.06% -0.24% -0.02% -0.04% 0.03% -0.16% EUR -0.01% -0.03% -0.26% -0.04% -0.02% 0.04% -0.13% GBP 0.06% 0.03% -0.20% 0.03% 0.01% 0.09% -0.10% JPY 0.24% 0.26% 0.20% 0.26% 0.15% -0.01% 0.12% CAD 0.02% 0.04% -0.03% -0.26% -0.03% 0.06% -0.03% AUD 0.04% 0.02% -0.01% -0.15% 0.03% 0.07% -0.11% NZD -0.03% -0.04% -0.09% 0.01% -0.06% -0.07% -0.17% CHF 0.16% 0.13% 0.10% -0.12% 0.03% 0.11% 0.17% The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Australian Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent AUD (base)/USD (quote). Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page. If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet. FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted. The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice. Read More

EUR/JPY drifts lower to near 171.25 in Thursday’s early European session. Positive view of the cross prevails above the 100-day EMA, but bearish RSI indicator warrants caution for bulls.  The immediate resistance level emerges at 172.67; the first support level to watch is 170.60. The EUR/JPY cross loses momentum to around 171.25 during the early European session on Thursday. The Euro (EUR) weakens against the Japanese Yen (JPY) amid fears of a French political crisis. France is braced for a new political crisis as the minority government of François Bayrou appears almost certain to be toppled in a confidence vote next month, amid deep political divisions over an unpopular austerity budget and debt-reduction plan.  Technically, the constructive outlook of EUR/GBP remains in place as the cross is well-supported above the key 100-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) on the daily chart. Nonetheless, further consolidation or temporary sell-off cannot be ruled out as the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands below the midline near 46.65, displaying bearish momentum in the near term.  On the bright side, the first upside barrier emerges at 172.67, the high of August 25. Sustained trading above this level could pick up more momentum and aim for 173.00, representing the upper boundary of the Bollinger Band and a round figure. Further north, the next resistance level is seen at 173.90, the high of July 28.  In the bearish case, the lower limit of the Bollinger Band of 170.60 acts as an initial support level for EUR/JPY. A breach of this level could drag the cross toward the 170.00 psychological level. The additional downside filter to watch is 169.82, the low of August 5.  EUR/JPY daily chart Japanese Yen FAQs The Japanese Yen (JPY) is one of the world’s most traded currencies. Its value is broadly determined by the performance of the Japanese economy, but more specifically by the Bank of Japan’s policy, the differential between Japanese and US bond yields, or risk sentiment among traders, among other factors. One of the Bank of Japan’s mandates is currency control, so its moves are key for the Yen. The BoJ has directly intervened in currency markets sometimes, generally to lower the value of the Yen, although it refrains from doing it often due to political concerns of its main trading partners. The BoJ ultra-loose monetary policy between 2013 and 2024 caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks. More recently, the gradually unwinding of this ultra-loose policy has given some support to the Yen. Over the last decade, the BoJ’s stance of sticking to ultra-loose monetary policy has led to a widening policy divergence with other central banks, particularly with the US Federal Reserve. This supported a widening of the differential between the 10-year US and Japanese bonds, which favored the US Dollar against the Japanese Yen. The BoJ decision in 2024 to gradually abandon the ultra-loose policy, coupled with interest-rate cuts in other major central banks, is narrowing this differential. The Japanese Yen is often seen as a safe-haven investment. This means that in times of market stress, investors are more likely to put their money in the Japanese currency due to its supposed reliability and stability. Turbulent times are likely to strengthen the Yen’s value against other currencies seen as more risky to invest in. Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page. If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet. FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted. The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice. Read More

Gold prices fell in United Arab Emirates on Thursday, according to data compiled by FXStreet. The price for Gold stood at 400.35 United Arab Emirates Dirhams (AED) per gram, down compared with the AED 401.14 it cost on Wednesday. The price for Gold decreased to AED 4,669.56 per tola from AED 4,678.85 per tola a day earlier. Unit measure Gold Price in AED 1 Gram 400.35 10 Grams 4,003.45 Tola 4,669.56 Troy Ounce 12,452.16 Daily Digest Market Movers: Gold price slumps as the US Dollar strengthens New York Fed President John Williams on Wednesday emphasized the importance of central bank independence as Trump looks to exert control over monetary policy. US President Donald Trump stated on Monday that he has fired Fed Governor Lisa Cook, the first instance of a president firing a central bank governor in the Fed’s history.  In response, Lisa Cook said that she would file a lawsuit to prevent her ouster, adding that Trump has no authority to fire her from the central bank, and she will not resign. Markets are now pricing in nearly an 87% possibility of a 25 basis point (bps) rate cut at the Fed’s policy meeting next month, according to the CME FedWatch tool.  “If (the PCE data) is a miss showing stronger inflation, that might begin to call into question whether the Fed’s going to be able to cut interest rates in September,” said Jim Wyckoff, senior analyst at Kitco Metals. FXStreet calculates Gold prices in United Arab Emirates by adapting international prices (USD/AED) to the local currency and measurement units. Prices are updated daily based on the market rates taken at the time of publication. Prices are just for reference and local rates could diverge slightly. Gold FAQs Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government. Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves. Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal. The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up. (An automation tool was used in creating this post.) Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page. If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet. FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted. The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice. Read More

Gold prices fell in Pakistan on Thursday, according to data compiled by FXStreet. The price for Gold stood at 30,728.84 Pakistani Rupees (PKR) per gram, down compared with the PKR 30,786.11 it cost on Wednesday. The price for Gold decreased to PKR 358,415.20 per tola from PKR 359,083.20 per tola a day earlier. Unit measure Gold Price in PKR 1 Gram 30,728.84 10 Grams 307,288.40 Tola 358,415.20 Troy Ounce 955,790.00 Daily Digest Market Movers: Gold price slumps as the US Dollar strengthens New York Fed President John Williams on Wednesday emphasized the importance of central bank independence as Trump looks to exert control over monetary policy. US President Donald Trump stated on Monday that he has fired Fed Governor Lisa Cook, the first instance of a president firing a central bank governor in the Fed’s history.  In response, Lisa Cook said that she would file a lawsuit to prevent her ouster, adding that Trump has no authority to fire her from the central bank, and she will not resign. Markets are now pricing in nearly an 87% possibility of a 25 basis point (bps) rate cut at the Fed’s policy meeting next month, according to the CME FedWatch tool.  “If (the PCE data) is a miss showing stronger inflation, that might begin to call into question whether the Fed’s going to be able to cut interest rates in September,” said Jim Wyckoff, senior analyst at Kitco Metals. FXStreet calculates Gold prices in Pakistan by adapting international prices (USD/PKR) to the local currency and measurement units. Prices are updated daily based on the market rates taken at the time of publication. Prices are just for reference and local rates could diverge slightly. Gold FAQs Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government. Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves. Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal. The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up. (An automation tool was used in creating this post.) Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page. If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet. FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted. The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice. Read More

Nvidia, the world’s most valuable company with a market capitalization of $4.39 trillion at the time of writing, beat revenue expectations for its fiscal second quarter, reporting sales of $46.74 billion on Wednesday after market close. Nvidia posted that data center revenue was up 56% from a year prior, reaching $41.1 billion. The company’s longtime CEO, Jensen Huang, told Fox Business Network’s The Claman Countdown on Thursday that AI, which Nvidia is advancing, would cause “some jobs” to disappear but result in new jobs becoming “invented.” Related: Nvidia Pulls Ahead of Apple and Microsoft to Become the World’s First $4 Trillion Public Company “One thing for sure, every job will be changed as a result of AI,” Huang said. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Photo by Wan Quan/VCG via Getty Images Huang also told Fox Business that he expects the economy to be doing “very well” in the future due to AI and automation, and stated that the quality of life for humanity would improve. Huang’s remarks add to what he said last month on an episode of The All-In Podcast. On the podcast, Huang stated that the “one thing we know for certain” is that people who use AI will replace those who don’t. He predicted that AI use will lead to more millionaires in the next five years than the Internet produced in two decades. Related: How Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Transformed a Graphics Card Company Into an AI Giant: ‘One of the Most Remarkable Business Pivots in History’ Huang also called AI the “greatest technology equalizer of all time” because it allows anyone to program by simply using plain English prompts (a practice known as “vibe coding,” which even Google CEO Sundar Pichai has dabbled in). “AI in my case is creating jobs,” Huang said on the podcast, adding that the technology enables people to “create things that other people would like to buy.” AI allows creative people to act on their ideas by providing technical services. In turn, it enables technical people to use it for creative endeavors, Huang pointed out. Nvidia held 92% of the market share for AI chips in the first quarter of the year. Its chips power ChatGPT, an AI chatbot with more than 700 million weekly users as of this month, up from 500 million users in March. Related: Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang Says He’s ‘Created More Billionaires’ Than Anyone Else — Adding Two More This Week Nvidia’s stock was up over 30% year-to-date at the time of writing. Read More

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. In the early days of any business, most founders wear too many hats. You’re the product lead, marketer, customer service rep and ops manager — sometimes all in the same afternoon. I’ve been there. When I was launching my first AI startup, I was writing code, answering support tickets, hacking on SEO and trying to figure out Google Ads at night. Every time I jumped from one thing to another, I paid a tax: ramp-up time, mental fatigue, missed details. Eventually, I drew a line: if a function had a steep learning curve, wasn’t core to the product or customer experience, and could burn cash fast if I got it wrong, it had to go. Here are the first three things I outsourced — what worked, what didn’t and how I make the decision now. Related: How to Turn Big Business Moments Into Lasting Brand Momentum 1. Google Ads had to go first I took a real swing at it. I set up campaigns, followed Google’s recommendations and even tried Performance Max. One day it would “work,” the next day I’d spend $90 to make a $24 sale. Whether you’re running a SaaS tool, an ecommerce store, or a local service business, paid ads can become a black hole. The learning curve is steep, the platform is opaque by design and Google is always nudging you to spend more so the algorithm can “learn.” I hired a specialist. Instantly, I stopped burning time trying to reverse engineer bidding strategies and keyword intent. I could focus on the roadmap, customers and the parts of marketing I actually understood. Worth every dollar. My advice: Try it briefly so you understand the vocabulary and the levers. Then get out. Your money will disappear faster than your learning compounds. 2. Social media was next — and it blew up (in a bad way) I outsourced content and channel management to someone who promised to “crush it.” I gave full access to my accounts. It devolved into drama, threats and low-quality work. I shut it down. The lesson? Never give full control of a distribution channel to someone you don’t know, and never confuse enthusiasm with competence. Social media can be valuable for any business building in public — but only if it’s handled by someone you trust and can hold accountable. Next time: I’ll only outsource to someone vetted by people I trust, with scoped access, clear deliverables and a kill switch. 3. PR was the third — and it worked I’d watched competitors outrank me and land strong stories. I tried the DIY route (like HARO), but the ROI wasn’t there. So I brought in someone who could own the process — strategy, pitching, follow-through — and translate my product into narratives reporters actually want. That freed me to focus on what I do best while the media engine ran in parallel. For businesses in crowded markets or emerging categories, this kind of PR support can be game-changing. How I decide what to outsource now I use a simple filter: Is this core to the product or user experience? If yes, I keep it. Is the learning curve steep enough that I’ll waste weeks for marginal improvement? If yes, I outsource. Could a mistake here be disproportionately expensive? (Ads and legal are great examples.) Outsource. Do I understand it well enough to evaluate the work? If not, I’ll do a quick self-guided crash course, then bring someone in. Can I structure a small, low-risk test? If yes, I do that before any retainer. Handling the handoff while staying lean I started with literal paper notes, then the Mac Notes app. Today, I still keep it simple: Trello boards when needed, email for most communication, and regular short check-ins. The point is clarity, not tooling. One clear metric, one owner, one cadence. Access-wise: role-based logins, password manager and instant revocation baked into the plan. That social media experience burned this into my process. Related: How to Actually Get Returns in Your Marketing Efforts About that “it’s faster if I do it myself” line… It isn’t. It just feels faster because you don’t have to explain anything. In reality, you’re trading days of deep work for weeks of shallow thrash. Do enough to understand it. Then move it off your plate — so you can focus on what only you can do. You can’t do it all — not for long and not well. Start by outsourcing the work that burns cash when done poorly, has a steep learning curve, or pulls you furthest from the product or customer. Keep control of your infrastructure, build small, reversible contracts and measure everything. The cost of trying to be superhuman is higher than the cost of a good specialist. Read More