Markets Shift Focus to Inflation as Easing Middle East Risks Reshape Outlook | 26th August, 2026

Inflation Takes Focus

Global markets shifted their attention toward inflation and monetary-policy expectations as signs of progress in Middle East diplomacy helped ease some of the geopolitical pressure that had dominated recent sessions. WTI crude retreated as concerns over immediate supply disruptions faded, while the Australian Dollar strengthened after hotter-than-expected inflation kept the prospect of further RBA tightening alive. Precious metals remained firm, with Gold approaching $4,700 and Silver holding above $69 as traders positioned ahead of the US PCE inflation report. Meanwhile, the Japanese Yen gained support from lower US yields and growing expectations that the Bank of Japan could raise rates in September. With the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge now taking center stage, today’s data could significantly reshape expectations for the next moves in global interest rates.

AUD/USD Forecast

Current Price and Context

The Australian Dollar strengthened for a second consecutive session, with AUD/USD climbing toward 0.7170 after Australia’s latest inflation report came in hotter than expected. Annual CPI eased to 3.5% in July from 3.8%, but remained well above the 3.2% market forecast, reinforcing expectations that the RBA may need to maintain a restrictive policy stance.

Key Drivers

• Australian Inflation: CPI exceeding expectations strengthens the case for maintaining tighter monetary policy.

• RBA Expectations: Persistent inflation keeps the possibility of additional RBA tightening on the table.

• US PCE: Today’s US inflation report could significantly influence the Dollar side of AUD/USD.

• US Yields: Sliding Treasury yields have helped limit demand for the Greenback.

• Risk Sentiment: Hopes for progress in Middle East diplomacy are providing a more supportive environment for the risk-sensitive Aussie.

Technical Outlook

• Trend: Bullish

• Resistance: 0.7200

• Support: 0.7100

• Forecast: AUD/USD could extend its advance toward the psychological 0.7200 area if US PCE data reinforces expectations for a less hawkish Fed. A stronger-than-expected PCE reading, however, could revive Dollar demand and trigger consolidation.

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Publication date:

26 August 2026 - 08:52 (GMT)

Sentiment and Catalysts

• Market Sentiment: Moderately bullish following the hotter Australian CPI report.

• Catalysts: US PCE inflation, RBA expectations, Fed policy outlook, Treasury yields and Middle East developments.

WTI Crude Oil Forecast

Current Price and Context

WTI crude came under renewed selling pressure as diplomatic developments in the Middle East reduced fears of immediate supply disruptions. Iran and Oman have been discussing arrangements surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, helping ease some of the geopolitical premium previously embedded in energy prices. FXStreet’s broader market coverage also notes that easing oil prices are reducing inflation concerns ahead of US PCE.

• Middle East Diplomacy: Progress toward easing tensions reduces immediate fears of supply disruption.

• Hormuz Outlook: Developments surrounding shipping through the Strait remain critical for crude prices.

• Sanctions: Markets continue assessing the potential impact of US sanctions involving Iran.

• Inflation: Falling crude prices could help reduce broader energy-driven inflation pressures.

• Global Demand: Once geopolitical premiums fade, underlying demand expectations become increasingly important.

• Trend: Bearish to Neutral

• Resistance: $83.00

• Forecast: WTI could remain under pressure if diplomatic progress continues and concerns over supply disruptions diminish. A sustained move below $80 could reinforce the bearish bias, while renewed geopolitical tensions could quickly restore the risk premium.

Sentiment and Catalysts

• Market Sentiment: Cautiously bearish as geopolitical premiums unwind.

• Catalysts: Iran-Oman negotiations, Strait of Hormuz developments, US sanctions, inventories and global demand expectations.

Gold (XAU/USD) Forecast

Current Price and Context

Gold returned toward its recent 15-week highs, trading just below $4,700, as a broadly subdued US Dollar and declining Treasury yields supported demand. Traders are now focused heavily on the US Core PCE Price Index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, for clues about the future path of monetary policy.

• US PCE: Inflation data represents the most important near-term catalyst for Gold.

• Fed Expectations: Softer inflation could reduce expectations for tighter policy and benefit non-yielding bullion.

• US Dollar: Continued Dollar weakness remains supportive.

• Treasury Yields: Lower yields reduce the opportunity cost of holding Gold.

• Geopolitical Risks: Easing Middle East tensions could reduce some safe-haven demand, although uncertainty has not disappeared.

• Resistance: $4,700

• Forecast: Gold could challenge the psychologically important $4,700 level if PCE data weakens the Dollar and Treasury yields. However, FXStreet notes that daily technical conditions are already overbought, increasing the possibility of profit-taking if inflation surprises to the upside.

Sentiment and Catalysts

• Market Sentiment: Bullish but technically stretched.

• Catalysts: US PCE inflation, Fed expectations, Treasury yields, Dollar direction and Middle East diplomacy.

Current Price and Context

The Japanese Yen strengthened as lower US bond yields and Treasury buyback developments pressured the Dollar, while expectations for further Bank of Japan tightening provided additional support. A Reuters poll highlighted by FXStreet shows economists expecting the BoJ to raise its policy rate to 1.25% in September, adding a potentially important domestic catalyst for JPY.

• BoJ Expectations: Growing expectations for a September rate increase are supportive for the Yen.

• US Treasury Yields: Lower yields reduce the attractiveness of USD relative to JPY.

• Treasury Buybacks: US bond-buyback plans have contributed to downward pressure on longer-term yields.

• US PCE: Inflation data could reshape expectations for the Fed and therefore US-Japan yield differentials.

• Intervention Risk: Elevated USD/JPY levels continue to make traders sensitive to potential action from Japanese authorities.

• Trend: Neutral to Bearish USD/JPY

• Resistance: 159.50

• Forecast: USD/JPY could remain under downward pressure if expectations for BoJ tightening strengthen while US yields decline. Softer US PCE would reinforce that setup, while hotter inflation could restore support for USD and slow the Yen’s recovery.

Sentiment and Catalysts

• Market Sentiment: Moderately bullish for JPY.

• Catalysts: US PCE, BoJ expectations, Treasury yields, Fed policy expectations and Japanese intervention signals.

Silver (XAG/USD) Forecast

Current Price and Context

Silver remained firmly elevated above the $69 region following its powerful recent advance. Like Gold, the metal is benefiting from subdued Dollar conditions and changing expectations surrounding US monetary policy, although elevated volatility means traders remain sensitive to any surprise from the PCE inflation report.

• US Inflation: PCE could determine whether recent expectations for a softer Fed stance persist.

• US Dollar: Continued weakness in the Greenback supports Dollar-denominated metals.

• Treasury Yields: Lower yields improve the relative attractiveness of non-yielding precious metals.

• Gold Momentum: Strength in Gold continues to provide a supportive backdrop for the broader precious-metals complex.

• Industrial Demand: Silver’s industrial role means broader economic expectations remain an additional driver.

• Resistance: $70.00

• Forecast: Silver could challenge the psychologically important $70.00 level if softer US inflation extends the decline in yields and the Dollar. However, after its rapid advance, a hotter PCE print could trigger substantial profit-taking and heightened volatility.

Sentiment and Catalysts

• Market Sentiment: Bullish but volatile.

• Catalysts: US PCE inflation, Fed expectations, Dollar direction, Treasury yields, Gold performance and global industrial demand.

Global markets are transitioning from a period dominated by geopolitical supply concerns toward one increasingly driven by inflation and central-bank expectations. Signs of progress in Middle East diplomacy have reduced some of the risk premium in crude oil, helping WTI retreat and potentially easing one source of global inflation pressure. At the same time, hotter Australian inflation strengthened the Aussie and kept RBA tightening expectations alive, while growing expectations for another Bank of Japan rate increase provided support for the Yen.

Gold and Silver remain among the strongest markets, but today’s US PCE inflation report is the critical test. As the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, PCE could directly influence rate expectations, Treasury yields and the US Dollar, with knock-on effects across precious metals and major FX pairs. A softer reading could reinforce recent trends in Gold, Silver, AUD and JPY, while an upside inflation surprise could revive Dollar demand and produce a broader reversal in current market momentum.

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