Gold rose on Friday and was set for a weekly gain after four straight weeks of declines, as weak US jobs data dampened expectations for a near-term Federal Reserve rate hike.

Oil prices were little changed for the week as traders held on to hopes for a successful outcome from attempts to secure peace between the US and Iran.

Vietnam’s economy expanded at a forecast-busting 8.4 percent in the second quarter, according to official data Friday, as it overcame import disruptions and higher fuel costs stemming from the Iran war.

Washington is seeking to move away from unilateral trade preferences and ineffective aid toward a fairer and more reciprocal economic relationship with Dhaka centred on trade, investment and long-term cooperation

The waiver, part of 60-day peace talks between Tehran and Washington, was issued on June 22 and expires August 21

The research by the German Economic Institute, or IW, found a 7.7 percent rise in EU exports to the US

Brent futures were up 14 cents, or 0.19 percent, at $71.94 a barrel

The World Bank upgraded Vietnam to an upper-middle-income country this week, citing strong sustained growth

The dollar held tight ranges on Thursday as markets awaited key US jobs data for clues on the rates outlook, while the yen’s slide to 40-year lows against the greenback and thin trade ahead of a US holiday kept traders on high alert for intervention.

Oil prices fell for a third consecutive day on Thursday as concerns over supply disruptions eased after Qatar said Iran and the US had made progress in talks over the Strait of Hormuz.

Gold prices rose on Thursday as softer-than-expected US jobs data and lower oil prices eased inflation concerns, while investors awaited the nonfarm payrolls report for cues on the Federal Reserve’s policy path.

The not-so-secret formula to 250 years of US success is immigration. As the country prepares to commemorate the anniversary of its Declaration of Independence, however, Washington powers that be are using every tool available to crack down on this essential component of the American experiment.

US manufacturing activity grew at a slower rate in June, survey data showed Wednesday, as businesses grappled with fallout from the Middle East war.

Further vulnerability stems from the EU's dependence on the US for technology

The free trade pact will instead be subject to annual reviews, unless a country decides to withdraw entirely

Brent futures lost 77 cents or 1.1 percent to $70.80 a barrel

Oil prices fell more than 1 percent on Wednesday as talks between Iran and the US aimed at reaching a final agreement to end their war continued and the market awaited data from the US regarding stock draws. Brent futures fell $1.14, or 1.6 percent, to $71.81 a barrel at 0859 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude was down $1.11, or 1.6 percent, to $68.39 a barrel.

US President Donald Trump recorded around $1.2 billion in income from his family’s cryptocurrency activities during his first year back in office, according to financial disclosures released on Tuesday.

Overall remittance inflows grew 17.30 percent year-on-year in FY26

World Bank lending to China peaked at $2.42 billion in 2017