Gold prices edged lower to around $3,330 in early Asian trading on Monday, pressured by stronger-than-expected US economic data. The drop comes ahead of a key meeting later in the day between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, which traders are watching closely for geopolitical signals.

Last week’s US Producer Price Index (PPI) rose 3.3% year-on-year in July, well above market expectations of 2.5% and the previous 2.4%. The hotter-than-expected inflation reading reduced bets on a potential Federal Reserve rate cut in September, creating headwinds for the yellow metal.

Adding to the picture, US Retail Sales grew 0.5% month-on-month in July, matching forecasts but slightly below June’s upwardly revised 0.9%.

While strong economic data pressures gold, safe-haven demand linked to geopolitical tensions may limit further downside in the near term.

Pandora reported steady growth in the second quarter despite global challenges, while announcing plans to close about 100 underperforming stores in China to streamline its retail network. The closures are higher than the 50 previously expected, meaning net global openings will now total 25 to 50 this year, compared to the earlier forecast of 50 to 75. Still, Pandora aims to expand its footprint by 400–500 stores by 2026.

 Product mix contributed negatively driven by the strong performance in Collabs and Pandora Lab-Grown Diamonds, which both carry gross margins below group level,

For the quarter ending June 30, revenue rose 4% to DKK 7.08 billion ($1.11 billion), with organic growth of 8% and like-for-like sales up 3%, driven by strong US demand, especially during Mother’s Day. Profit inched up 0.5% to DKK 803 million ($125.9 million). Lab-grown diamond sales surged 36%, though their lower margins pressured profitability.

Pandora also flagged potential tariff impacts, estimating costs of DKK 200 million in 2025 and DKK 450 million in 2026, and may consider price increases to offset pressures.

De Beers Group, in partnership with Angola’s national diamond company Endiama, has reported the discovery of a new kimberlite field in Angola—the company’s first such find in over 30 years.The breakthrough occurred in July 2025, when the joint venture intersected kimberlite in its very first drill hole, targeting a cluster of high-priority sites identified through airborne surveys earlier in March 2025.

In the months ahead, De Beers and Endiama will carry out additional drilling, ground geophysical studies, and laboratory testing to confirm the nature of the kimberlite and evaluate its diamond-bearing potential.The find marks a significant milestone in the partnership between De Beers and Angola. It comes on the back of two Mineral Investment Contracts signed in April 2022 and a Memorandum of Understanding agreed at the 2024 Mining Indaba. These agreements have laid the foundation for a long-term collaboration focused on responsibly developing Angola’s diamond resources.

Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group, said: “Angola is, in our view, one of the best places on the planet to look for diamonds, and this discovery reinforces our confidence. It is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through partnership, and I commend President Lourenco and his government for all the work they have done to enhance transparency, adopt international best practices, and create a business friendly environment, all of which has enabled us to return to Angola and seek new sources of supply. We are excited about the role De Beers can play in helping the country deliver on its huge potential, both below and above the ground.”