On Beijing time on the 24th, spot gold and spot silver continued to decline. After three consecutive increases, domestic retail gold jewellery prices fell sharply: Chow Sang Sang pure-gold jewellery quoted 1,227 yuan/gram, down 31 yuan on the day; Lao Miao pure-gold jewellery 1,231 yuan/gram, down 27 yuan; Lao Feng Xiang pure-gold jewellery 1,229 yuan/gram, down 24 yuan.

The KOSPI fell more than 3% in early trade, slipping below 6,900, after oil surged on escalating Middle East tensions and renewed concerns about upward pressure on interest rates. Foreign investors, net buyers for four straight sessions, turned net sellers of 291.8 billion won; institutional investors sold 71.5 billion won; retail investors bought 380.0 billion won. Large caps: Samsung Electronics down >4%, SK Hynix down >5%, SK Square down >7%, Samsung Electro‑Mechanics down >5%. Sector moves: electrical & electronics -3.40%, IT services -3.28%, manufacturing -2.79%; pharmaceuticals +2.98%, paper & wood +1.13%, diversified services +0.54%.

ECB Governing Council member Zigman said the bank will assess conditions in September.