Gold market movement: At 15:33 ET (19:33 GMT) spot gold was $4,486.23 per ounce, up 0.11%; gold futures rose 0.2% to $4,516.62 per ounce.
Geopolitical backdrop: Tehran announced a halt in message exchange with Washington; President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted talks continue. Israeli operations in Lebanon and a partial cease‑fire between Hezbollah and Israel add to tension.
Official statements: Trump posted on Truth Social that conversations have been continuous over the past four days; Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program could materialise imminently.
ECB reserve data: European Central Bank report shows gold comprised 27% of total official foreign reserves at end‑2025, surpassing US Treasury bonds (22%) and the euro (15) – the first time in over three decades gold exceeds Treasuries.
Price drivers: Nominal gold price increased ~60% in 2025 and ~30% in 2024, inflating its share of reserves; ECB notes gold’s volatility, lack of remuneration, storage costs, and limited supply elasticity.
