Gold prices weaken ahead of the FED's decision
Mr. Phillip Streible - chief strategist at Blue Line Futures said gold is struggling as investors shift their attention to the stock market at record valuations.
He added that gold is also under pressure as the US and Japan announced the possibility of signing a trade agreement, imposing a 15% tax on Japanese imports to the US. The deal could also be the basis for negotiations with the European Union. President Donald Trump believes the possibility of reaching an agreement with the EU is 50/50.
Trade wars tend to ease, so demand for safe havens like gold has also decreased. Instead of seeking risk hedging tools, investors are drawn to positive profit reports and trade expectations, Streible said.
Mr. Streible believes that gold prices may continue to decline, as the US Federal Reserve (FED) is expected to keep interest rates unchanged after the monetary policy meeting. See more...
Drying for half a million VND/kg, "money-making" forest trees are being hunted down in Da Nang
Latest forecast for Vietnam's GDP growth in 2025
According to the report of the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) released at the end of July, in the ASEAN+3 group, this year Vietnam is forecast to have the highest growth rate, followed by the Philippines (5.6%) and Cambodia (5.2%).
This positive adjustment is based on Vietnam's positive economic results in the first half of the year. Accordingly, Vietnam's GDP in the first 6 months of 2025 achieved a growth rate of 7.52%, the highest level in many years, thanks to domestic consumption, exports and a strong recovery in the manufacturing and service sectors.
AMRO believes that Vietnam has enough policy space to support the economy when needed. Reforms to improve the investment environment and infrastructure are also helping Vietnam strengthen its position. See more...
HCMC prepares to sell E10 gasoline, people waiting to experience
Following the roadmap of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ho Chi Minh City (pre-merged area) will begin a pilot sale of E10 biofuel (10% of ethanol into RON 95 gasoline) from August 1 at 36 Petrolimex stores. This is a preparation step towards completely replacing mineral gasoline with E10 biofuel nationwide from January 1, 2026.
A representative of a store on Tran Hung Dao Street said that the company has upgraded the tank and pumping station system to be ready to distribute E10 gasoline.
At a gas station in Xuan Hoa ward, a sales staff said that the unit is currently still selling RON 95 and E5 RON 92 gasoline according to demand. However, they have received notification from the parent company about preparing to sell E10 and are being trained and instructed in detail.
Information about the gradual transition to E10 biofuel is attracting the attention of many people in Ho Chi Minh City.
Mr. Tran Thanh Phong - a technology driver said: "I used to use E5 gasoline, but I felt that the car ran weaker, ran out of gas and the engine heated quickly. Now that I hear about E10, I am eager to experience and see how good it is. See more...
