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Gold prices moved slightly higher on Thursday, with spot gold increasing by 0.3% to $4,414.28 per ounce at 0419 GMT, bolstered by a softer U.S. dollar ahead of new U.S. inflation figures. U.S. gold futures for December delivery dipped 0.1% to $4,457.20. The early gains helped keep spot gold above the $4,400 level following a sharp reversal during Wednesday’s trading session.

Panama Canal Implements Stricter Transit Limits Amid Drought Conditions PANAMA / RankWire.AI / – The Panama Canal might cut its daily vessel movements to approximately 29 ships in February or March 2027 if drought persists, according to its new management. Ilya Espino de Marotta, who assumed her role on Sept. 7, highlighted the possibility as El Niño continues to lower reservoir levels. The canal’s operation depends on freshwater from rainfall-fed lakes to fill its locks. Following below-expected precipitation in the watershed, the Panama Canal Authority has already started implementing phased capacity reductions.

German automaker Volkswagen AG finalized a deal on Monday to transfer ownership of its Osnabrück assembly facility to Israeli private equity firm Aurelius Capital and the German federal state of Lower Saxony. Under the preliminary agreement, the new proprietors will transform the car production site into a dedicated facility for security and defense manufacturing. This strategic move marks the first significant industrial conversion of a German automotive plant to produce military equipment amidst ongoing structural changes across Europe’s automotive industry. Israel Aurelius German state to take over VWs Osnabrueck plant defense projects to supply air defense equipment for European security markets.

Egypt’s net international reserves reached a record $57.2 billion in August 2026. This signifies an increase of $7.96 billion compared to August 2025, or around 16.2% growth annually. Remittances from Egyptians abroad hit a record high in the 2025/2026 fiscal year, totaling approximately $47.3 billion. Foreign currency inflows have remained high, with June alone recording about $4.2 billion in remittances. Reserve levels have hit consecutive monthly peaks throughout 2026, with reserves surpassing previous nominal highs each month.

South Korea and African nations are collaborating on a significant economic partnership centered around artificial intelligence and technology-led growth during the 8th Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Ministerial Conference in Seoul. This event marks two decades of bilateral engagement, gathering cabinet ministers, development financiers, and tech industry leaders. Officials have confirmed plans to advance Korea-Africa initiatives in AI digital infrastructure across emerging trade routes and to review 20 years of joint investments.

South Korea’s foreign exchange reserves reached $442.28 billion at the end of August. The August surge continued a three-month upward trend in South Korea’s foreign reserves. After rising by $370 million in June and $590 million in July, the reserve increase in August was significantly larger, surpassing even the previous record monthly rise of $14.29 billion set in May 2009. Despite this remarkable growth, reserves still remain below the record $469.21 billion reported in October 2021.

South Korea’s consumer prices increased by 3.1% in August compared to the same month last year, according to official statistics. This uptick from 2.8% in July pushed headline inflation back above 3%. The consumer price index hit 120.05, with 2020 serving as the baseline at 100. Additionally, prices grew by 0.2% from July. The Ministry of Data and Statistics published the August data on September 2.

Korea’s August exports surged 68.7% to $98.25 billion as Asia’s fourth-largest economy maintains its trade growth streak for a 15th consecutive month. Exports of semiconductors, which are the primary contributor to the country’s trade success, increased 209% year-on-year to a record-high $46.65 billion. Additional details from the Yonhap News Agency noted that exports of computer products rose 419.5% to $6.24 billion amid rising global NAND memory prices. Contributions from energy and chemical sectors also played a role in the overall monthly increase.

India’s economy grew 7.8% in Q1 FY27 as manufacturing, services and investment expanded. According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the real gross domestic product for the quarter stood at ₹81.36 lakh crore. This compares to ₹75.46 lakh crore in the same quarter last year. Nominal GDP reached ₹88.27 lakh crore, reflecting a 10.3% increase from ₹80 lakh crore. Meanwhile, real gross value added, which measures overall economic activity, grew by 8.2% to ₹73.82 lakh crore, and nominal GVA increased by 11.5% to ₹80.53 lakh crore.

Japan stocks remain in focus as Nikkei volatility meets rising bond yields and rate concerns. (AI-generated image) By the end of Monday, the Nikkei managed to recover most of its earlier losses, closing at 66,311.93, which was down 93.63 points or 0.14%. This closing level was well above the morning low and represented the session high. The Topix ended at 4,156.29, up 0.23%, reversing its initial decline. Market breadth improved as trading progressed, with 131 Nikkei components advancing, 91 declining, and three remaining unchanged. The rally significantly narrowed a morning decline that had briefly exceeded 2%. Simultaneously, Japanese bond yields increased alongside the early downturn in equities. The benchmark 10-year government bond yield reached 2.95% on Monday, its highest since 1996. The two-year yield rose to 1.73%, the highest since April 1995. Shorter-term maturities tend to closely follow expectations regarding monetary policy shifts. As bond prices move inversely to yields, the rise in yields resulted in lower prices for government debt. Markets also priced in expectations for higher policy rates in Japan and the U.S. Bond Yields Hit Three-Decade Highs Technology stocks were a major source of the early pressure on equities, especially after U.S. semiconductor shares weakened at the end of last week. The Nikkei’s price-weighted