World Gold Council says parts of the physical gold market have weakened: India and South Korea trading at discounts, Japan showing sporadic selling, and global gold ETF inflows weak in May. With the Strait of Hormuz standoff ongoing, official holders could intermittently conduct gold swaps or sales. Near-term biggest risk is the energy market—oil is driving inf expectations and bond-yield moves. If inventories fall and energy prices spike, yields would likely rise first, lifting the USD and exte

World Gold Council says parts of the physical gold market have weakened: India and South Korea trading at discounts, Japan showing sporadic selling, and global gold ETF inflows weak in May. With the Strait of Hormuz standoff ongoing, official holders could intermittently conduct gold swaps or sales. Near-term biggest risk is the energy market—oil is driving inf expectations and bond-yield moves. If inventories fall and energy prices spike, yields would likely rise first, lifting the USD and extending gold's current weakness, with any longer-term safe-haven response to come later.