Gold And Silver Regain Their Luster As The Dollar Stabilizes
Money and Business Economy News – Follow-up Gold and silver prices rebounded on Friday, buoyed by buying after falling to their lowest levels in a week during the previous session when selling pressure increased following strong US jobs data that dampened expectations of an interest rate cut.
Gold rose 1 percent in spot trading to $4,966.83 an ounce after falling more than 3 percent on Thursday to its lowest level in nearly a week, below $5,000.
U.S. gold futures for April delivery gained 0.7 percent to $4,985.40 an ounce.
The price of silver rose 2.1 percent in spot trading to $76.76 an ounce after plunging 11 percent on Wednesday, according to Reuters.
The dollar was little changed against major currencies on Thursday, holding steady after mixed signals from the latest U.S. economic data. A stronger dollar makes dollar-denominated metals more expensive for holders of other currencies.
Data released on Wednesday showed that the U.S. labor market started 2026 stronger than expected, reinforcing speculation that interest rates will remain high for longer.
Nonfarm payrolls increased by 130,000 in January, following a downwardly revised increase of up to 48,000 jobs in December. The unemployment rate fell to 4.3 percent.
Data released on Thursday showed that initial claims for unemployment benefits fell to 227,000 in the week ending February 7.
Investors are now awaiting inflation data due later today for further clues about the Federal Reserve’s (the US central bank) monetary policy path.
As for other precious metals, platinum rose 1.7 percent to $2,033.15 an ounce in spot trading, and palladium climbed 1.4 percent to $1,639.99. https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=65638
Iraq’s Imports From Brazil Will Exceed $1.4 Billion In 2025.
Money and Business Economy News – Baghdad Iraq’s imports from Brazil amounted to more than $1.4 billion in 2025, according to data from the United Nations International Trade Association (COMTRADE).
The data showed that Iraq imported goods from Brazil worth $1.490 billion in 2025, down from $1.900 billion in 2024, and up from $1.300 billion in 2023.
She indicated that the largest imported goods were sugar and its products, valued at $374 million, followed by meat, valued at $324 million, followed by oils, oilseeds and oil fruits, valued at $263 million, followed by live animals, valued at $171 million, followed by grains, valued at $167 million, in addition to iron products, metal goods and other goods.
https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=65620
Reconstruction: Iraq’s Housing Deficit Is 2.3 Million Units, And There Is No Authority Over Investment Projects After Handover.
Reconstruction and building Economy News – Baghdad The Ministry of Construction, Housing and Municipalities confirmed on Friday that government housing complexes are subject to strict technical procedures before final handover, while noting that it has no authority over investment projects after handover.
Ministry spokesman Nabil Al-Saffar told the official news agency that “the government housing complexes, which are supervised by the Housing Department, are being implemented according to approved technical and engineering specifications, with continuous supervision and monitoring by the resident engineer’s offices to ensure proper implementation.”
He added that “the initial handover processes take place after the work is completed, with an inspection of any deficiencies or defects, if any, to address them. After ensuring the durability and quality of the work, the final handover of the complex takes place, after which it is distributed to the eligible groups.”
Al-Saffar explained that “the ministry does not have the authority or power to address any damages that may occur after receiving investment housing projects,” indicating that “the responsibility for addressing these damages does not fall within the ministry’s jurisdiction after the handover of those projects.”
He pointed out that “many housing units are suffering and deteriorating, and this increases if periodic maintenance is not carried out,” noting that “part of the problem is due to the absence of a comprehensive system for housing maintenance and management.”
The ministry spokesperson explained that “the cancellation of Law No. 149 of 1980, which obligated housing cooperative societies to manage shared maintenance responsibilities, created a regulatory vacuum that has not yet been addressed, which has exacerbated the housing maintenance problem, and no alternative framework has been established, leaving property owners without clear guidance.”
He stressed that “building new housing units with high specifications that ensure their sustainability and ability to cope with climate changes contributes to reducing future maintenance costs,” noting that “most homes lack periodic maintenance of the structural framework, as well as weak monitoring and consideration of insulation, shading, ventilation, water and sewage systems, and others.”
Regarding the size of the housing need, Al-Saffar explained that “the current overcrowding rate of 29.1%, according to the socio-economic survey of the family in Iraq, and when compared with the results of the last population census, indicates that the current housing deficit amounts to 2.3 million housing units.”
He pointed out that “this decrease came after estimates indicated three million housing units or more, as a result of the government launching several initiatives that led to expanding the housing supply through public investments and the participation of the private sector.”
He pointed out that “since 2024, the Ministry of Construction and Housing has approved the implementation of 21 residential city projects comprising a total of approximately 765,000 housing units,” adding that “there are additional projects under approval that will provide approximately 329,000 housing units, including real estate developer projects.” https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=65653
Japan Calls for US Technical Review of Dollar–Yen Amid Volatility
INA–Follow up International press reports, citing informed officials, indicate that Japanese authorities have asked the United States to conduct technical reviews of the dollar-yen exchange rate following the recent sharp decline in the Japanese currency.
The Japanese news agency Jiji Press reported that any move by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is viewed in international financial circles as a potential prelude to direct intervention in the currency market aimed at curbing the yen’s depreciation.
Official Warnings
Japan’s top currency official, Atsuki Mimura, confirmed that Tokyo is maintaining “full vigilance” regarding exchange rate movements, warning of unstable currency fluctuations.
Speaking at a press conference, Mimura said, “Our policy has not changed, and we will continue to monitor the markets closely and with a high sense of responsibility,” emphasizing close and continuous communication with US authorities to safeguard market stability.
The Japanese yen recently posted a notable recovery to 153.02 per dollar after previously falling close to the 160 level — a threshold analysts describe as a “red line” that could trigger immediate policy intervention.
Political and Economic Implications
Experts believe that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s victory in the recent elections has supported the yen. Investors are betting on her administration’s ability to implement fiscal discipline, which could strengthen the national currency and reduce import costs that have fueled domestic inflation.
Monetary Policy Outlook
In a related development, Mizuho Financial Group predicted that the Bank of Japan may raise its key interest rate again as early as March, with expectations of three increases this year to combat persistent inflation and currency weakness.
Kenya Koshimizu, co-head of the Bank of Japan’s global markets division, noted that “nominal economic growth and the government’s clear policy strategy give the Bank of Japan the necessary flexibility to adjust monetary policy,” adding that the stability of 10-year government bond yields reflects an improvement in the country’s fiscal balance.
It is worth noting that the Bank of Japan raised its interest rate last December to 0.75%, its highest level in three decades, amid continued signals of readiness for further monetary tightening to ensure economic stability.
