日本央行：将评估中东局势对加息时机和步伐的影响。

Derek Halpenny at Mitsubishi UFJ said in a note that if the Bank of England’s rate decision strengthens market expectations of a September rate hike, the pound could appreciate. He warned the BOE may express greater concern about spillovers from the Middle East conflict; prolonged energy-price rises now look a larger risk than at June’s meeting and could "certainly force the Bank of England to act, even with mixed labour market conditions." Markets currently price roughly a 50% probability of a September hike.

World Gold Council Q2 2026 Global Gold Demand Trends: as prices pulled back from record highs earlier in 2026, Q2 global gold demand was flat YoY at 1,269 t. 1H demand rose 2% YoY to 2,522 t (about $380bn). The price retreat cooled investment: Q2 investment in ETFs, bars and coins fell to 262 t; ETF net outflows of 45 t were the primary driver of the quarterly investment decline, though ETFs still recorded a small 1H net inflow of 18 t. Bars and coins were relatively stable, down 3% YoY in Q2 and up 21% YoY in 1H on strong Q1. Asia-led OTC/over-the-counter investment reached 327 t in Q2, taking 1H OTC demand to 571 t.