Market Performance - On July 7, the Istanbul Stock Exchange National 100 Index fell by 1.64%, closing at 10,107.68 points [1] - The Istanbul Stock Exchange Banking Index also declined by 1.64%, ending at 15,561.20 points [1] - The Turkish Lira depreciated by 0.30% against the US Dollar, approaching the psychological threshold of 40 Lira [1] Political and Legal Developments - On July 5, mayors from the cities of Adana, Adıyaman, and Antalya were detained by police on charges of organized crime, bribery, and collusion in bidding [1] - The Turkish stock index experienced a significant drop from 10,802.23 points to 8,872.75 points between March 18-24 due to actions taken by President Erdoğan against opposition [1]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that cash is not the fastest depreciating asset in China; instead, it is expected to be real estate, fuel vehicles, university degrees, and electronic products [1][2][4][6][8][10] - The average national housing price has decreased by over 30% from its peak, with ongoing declines expected, particularly in major cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen [4] - The automotive industry is experiencing a significant depreciation in fuel vehicles, with reports of a nearly 10 million yuan drop in value within a year for certain models [6] Group 2 - The value of university degrees is declining, with many graduates struggling to find jobs, leading to a situation where practical experience is prioritized over academic qualifications [8] - Electronic products are depreciating rapidly due to the frequent introduction of new models and reduced consumer spending, resulting in a decline in market demand [10]

Core Viewpoint - Mitsubishi UFJ suggests that Vietnam is inclined to devalue the Vietnamese dong to support economic growth [1] Group 1 - The Vietnamese government is considering currency devaluation as a strategy to bolster economic performance [1] - The potential devaluation of the Vietnamese dong may impact trade balances and foreign investment [1] - The move is seen as a response to global economic pressures and domestic economic challenges [1]

Group 1 - There is a significant divergence in economic outlook between Western and Eastern investors, influenced by factors such as Trump's tariff policy, geopolitical risks, and currency devaluation threats [1][3] - American retail investors are experiencing a wave of profit-taking, shifting from aggressive gold purchases to large-scale selling, reflecting a stark contrast in sentiment compared to Asian investors [3][5] - In Asia, there is a surge in demand for gold, with the World Gold Council reporting a 3% increase in demand for gold bars and coins in the Asia-Pacific region in Q1 2025, particularly driven by a 12% increase in China and over 30% growth in countries like South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia [5][6] Group 2 - Concerns over the impact of Trump's tariffs initially triggered a strong rebound in gold demand in Asia, with local currency devaluation fears further driving gold purchases [6] - Goldman Sachs maintains a target price of $4,000 for gold next year, while Morgan Stanley predicts gold will reach $3,800 by the end of this year; in contrast, Citigroup forecasts a drop below $3,000 next year [8] - The sentiment among American retail investors has shifted, as they now perceive that tariff policies may not be as detrimental as previously thought, leading to a reduction in gold holdings and a preference for risk assets [8]

Core Insights - The weakening of the US dollar has diminished the attractiveness of holding cash, as indicated by a survey conducted by French foreign trade bank investment management [1] Group 1: Survey Findings - 41% of respondents believe that currency depreciation is the primary risk associated with holding cash [1] - 38% of participants think that better returns can be found elsewhere, making cash less appealing [1] - Concerns about inflation are significant, with 35% of respondents stating that cash interest rates are insufficient to meet long-term goals [1]

Core Viewpoint - The Governor of the Central Bank of the Philippines stated that aggressive intervention in the foreign exchange market to maintain the exchange rate is futile, and interventions will only occur for normal liquidity reasons [1] Group 1 - The Central Bank of the Philippines emphasizes that it will not engage in heavy intervention to stabilize the currency [1] - The Governor indicated that if the currency continues to depreciate, more serious interventions may be necessary at some point [1]

Core Viewpoints - The geopolitical situation, particularly the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East, is expected to continue driving gold prices upward until there is a perceived easing of tensions [1][2] - Weak economic data from the U.S., including a 0.9% decline in retail sales and a 0.2% drop in industrial output, has increased expectations for a more dovish monetary policy from the Federal Reserve, benefiting silver prices [2][3] - Gold is seen as a hedge against currency devaluation, with its price rising nearly 30% against the U.S. dollar this year, driven by increasing fiscal deficits and potential inflation [4] Group 1: Economic Data Impact - U.S. retail sales fell by 0.9% in May, marking the largest month-over-month decline in four months, reflecting consumer caution ahead of tariff policy implementations [3] - Industrial production data also fell short of market expectations, reinforcing the outlook for a shift in Federal Reserve policy [3] - The Senate's proposal to make corporate tax cuts permanent and raise the debt ceiling poses long-term challenges for the U.S. dollar and treasury credit [3] Group 2: Market Sentiment and Price Trends - Despite a strong dollar, gold prices have been resilient, with a potential consolidation around $3,400 before the upcoming FOMC meeting [5] - Silver prices have surged, breaking through $37 per ounce, indicating a strong market response to expectations of monetary easing [1][2] - The overall market sentiment remains cautious, with geopolitical tensions and economic data influencing trading strategies [5]

Group 1: Market Dynamics - The recent escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran has led to a renewed interest in gold as a safe-haven asset, pushing gold prices to near historical highs of $3,500 per ounce [1][2] - Analysts predict that short-term demand for gold may continue to drive prices higher, potentially breaking previous records [2][6] - The geopolitical risks have made gold an attractive alternative to dollar-denominated assets, especially in light of concerns over the freezing of dollar assets due to political factors [2][3] Group 2: Central Bank Activity - Global central banks are increasing their gold reserves at an unprecedented rate, with gold expected to surpass the euro as the second-largest reserve asset by 2024, accounting for over 20% of global demand [3][7] - Despite the increase in gold purchases, there are indications that the pace of central bank buying has slowed, with a net increase of only 12 tons in April, down from a 12-month average of 28 tons [3][4] Group 3: Economic Factors - The current economic environment, characterized by stagnation and potential currency devaluation, positions gold as a valuable asset, particularly during periods of stagflation [6][7] - The expectation of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve and the decline in confidence in the dollar are contributing to the attractiveness of gold as a hedge against economic uncertainty [6][7] Group 4: Future Price Predictions - Institutions maintain a positive long-term outlook for gold prices, with Morgan Stanley predicting an average price of $3,675 per ounce by Q4 2025 and Goldman Sachs forecasting a rise to $3,700 by the end of 2025 [7] - However, there are concerns that the momentum for further significant price increases may be limited due to reduced market activity and profit-taking pressures [7][8]

Core Viewpoint - The Thai Minister of Commerce is urging the next central bank governor to allow the Thai Baht to depreciate [1] Group 1 - The call for depreciation is aimed at enhancing Thailand's export competitiveness [1] - A weaker Baht could potentially stimulate economic growth by making Thai goods cheaper for foreign buyers [1] - The Minister emphasizes the importance of a strategic approach to currency management in the context of global economic conditions [1]

Group 1 - The article discusses the perception of the Japanese yen as a weak currency compared to other developed countries' currencies like the British pound and the US dollar, despite Japan being a developed nation [1][3] - It highlights that the high nominal value of the yen does not equate to its strength, as currency exchange rates fluctuate and are influenced by historical factors [3][4] - The historical context reveals that the yen was once strong, backed by the gold standard in the late 19th century, but has since depreciated due to various economic challenges [4][6] Group 2 - The depreciation of the yen is attributed to inflation, particularly during and after World War II, when Japan faced severe economic hardships and resorted to printing money [7][9] - The article notes that post-war Japan experienced hyperinflation, leading to a drastic increase in prices, which necessitated the introduction of higher denomination banknotes [9][11] - It discusses the complexities and potential challenges of reducing the nominal value of the yen, including public resistance and accounting difficulties [15][16][18]