Precious-metals thematic ETFs opened higher; Guotou Silver LOF rose more than 4%, gold-themed LOF and Harvest Gold LOF each gained over 3%, and Gold LOF was up nearly 3%. Earlier, spot gold topped $4,500 for the first time since June 4.

Mizuho economist Yasuhisa Irie said persistently high energy prices are keeping import costs elevated and could sustain Japan’s trade deficit in the near term. He added that until shipping via the Strait of Hormuz fully normalizes, import prices will remain high, and even if Middle East tensions ease a rebound in import volumes could raise import values faster than export gains from strong AI-related investment. Japan ran a ¥634.5 billion trade deficit in July, government data showed Thursday.

Russian Defence Ministry said its air-defence forces shot down 438 Ukrainian drones in one day.