Shanghai Gold Exchange gold T+D fell 0.5% in early trade on July 8 (Wednesday) to 898.3 yuan/gram; silver T+D declined 1.1% to 14,700 yuan/kg.

Energy: 1. Israeli Energy Minister: One of the main goals of the new round of exploration is to expand natural gas exports. 2. Sources: Germany plans to establish an emergency natural gas reserve of up to €1.5 billion, plus operating costs. 3. Spain's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR): Spain's crude oil imports in May increased by 8.2% year-on-year, reaching 5.2 million tons. 4. Sources revealed that the UAE's crude oil production jumped to over 3.8 million barrels per day in June, the second highest level on record. 5. Saudi Arabia lowered the price of its Arab Light crude oil sold to Asia in August by $11 per barrel, the largest drop in at least 26 years. 6. U.S. Department of Energy: U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) crude oil inventories fell by approximately 6.2 million barrels last week to 319.5 million barrels, the lowest level since April 1983. Precious Metals and Mining: 1. The South32 $2 billion zinc-manganese mine project in Arizona, USA, is expected to be approved. 2. Market News: BHP Billiton receives approval to launch a $15 billion copper mine expansion project in Chile. 3. Indian Prime Minister Modi: India and Indonesia sign an agreement to strengthen key mineral and steel supply chains. 4. Shanghai Gold Exchange: Agreed to admit Hong Kong Central Gold Clearing System Limited as an international member of the Shanghai Gold Exchange. 5. Market News: Citibank becomes the fifth bank to clear transactions on the London over-the-counter gold market (the world's largest gold trading center). 6. Goldman Sachs: Lowered its Q4 2026 LME aluminum price forecast from $3,200 per ton to $2,950, and its 2027 average price forecast from $2,950 to $2,700. 7. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee: The Central Gold Clearing System officially began operations today, and the first gold transaction settlement has been completed. Tax incentives for gold trading and settlement will be provided. Iran Situation: 1. A liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier was attacked in the Gulf of Oman. 2. Trump: I could destroy all of Iran's power plants "in less than an afternoon." 3. According to Iranian state media, a natural gas tanker was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz after ignoring warnings. 4. According to Axios: A US official said Iran fired at least two missiles at ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Two merchant ships were hit and severely damaged.

The Korea Exchange has triggered a circuit breaker on the Korea Oklahoma Stock Exchange's KOSDAQ index.