Index futures trading tailwinds appeared in early Asian markets, driven by tech earnings beats in Taiwan and South Korea, boosting MSCI Asia ex-Japan futures to monthly highs. But US stocks haven't been alone in enjoying a stellar run this year. Gold ( GC=F ), a traditional flight-to-safety investment, has also soared, up 26% over the same period and quickly approaching the $4,000 mark. Last week marked the seventh straight week of gains for the precious metal. Oracle shares rallied 30% after the company said it sees infrastructure revenue growing 77% in fiscal 2026 to $18 billion. That gain would mark the company's best daily performance since June 16, 1999 — when it soared 31.1%. Index futures trading ahead of the Fed minutes release showed muted volumes, implying market participants may wait for clarity on future monetary policy trajectory before expanding positions.