US Markets Close for July 4 While Oil, Gold and Asian Stocks Gain

US financial markets are closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq will resume on Monday, July 6, while the US bond market closed early at 2:00 p.m. ET on Thursday.

Meanwhile, oil prices remained largely unchanged ahead of the long holiday weekend. Brent crude traded near $71.90 per barrel, while WTI crude hovered around $68.60 as investors monitored ongoing US-Iran peace efforts and the gradual recovery of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts said improving supply has shifted the market into contango, although geopolitical risks continue to support prices.

Compare Top Forex brokers and start trading and investing with a trusted partner

Asian equities moved higher after weaker-than-expected US jobs data reduced expectations of an imminent Federal Reserve rate hike. The MSCI Asia-Pacific Index gained 2.2%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.2%, and South Korea’s Kospi surged more than 6%. The US Dollar Index slipped to around 100.7, while gold climbed about 1.2% to $4,174 an ounce.

Separately, a World Gold Council survey found that 90% of central banks hold gold primarily for protection during financial crises, while 84% cited its role as a long-term store of value and inflation hedge. Central banks have purchased an average of 1,000 metric tons of gold annually over the past four years, highlighting continued demand for the precious metal.

Recommended brokers

• XM – International broker regulated by CySEC and ASIC, offering MetaTrader 4/5, spreads from 0 pips, and a $5 minimum deposit.

• Libertex – CySEC-regulated broker providing access to 1,000+ CFDs, commission-free stock investing through Libertex Invest, and a $10 minimum deposit.