A fresh coat of paint could help homeowners draw higher offers when it comes time to sell.

Buyers are showing growing interest in warm, comfortable colors over plain white walls, according to Zillow’s 2026 Paint Color Analysis. The highest-value interior paint choice was chocolate brown in a bedroom, which could add an estimated $2,277 to a home’s offer price.

“When it comes to getting the most out of your home before selling, paint is one of the easiest and most affordable places to start,” Charlie Lankston, executive editor at Realtor.com, told FOX Business in an email. “A fresh coat can instantly boost the appeal of a home the moment a buyer walks in the door.”

Other high-performing colors included pale blue in the living room, which could add about $1,723 to an offer price compared with white, and charcoal gray in the living room, which could add about $1,509, the study found.

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Painting a bedroom chocolate brown could add an estimated $2,277 to a home’s offer price. (iStock / iStock)

In bedrooms, charcoal gray could add about $1,240, while sage green could add about $1,035.

Sage green was one of the safest choices for sellers. The color ranked near the top in every room studied, including bathrooms, living rooms and bedrooms, according to Zillow. 

Darker kitchen colors also performed well. Homes with charcoal gray kitchens could receive about $1,373 more, while dark plum kitchens could bring in about $867 more.

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms for paint choices. The difference between the best and worst kitchen colors was nearly $8,000, the study found.

Meanwhile, some paint colors may lower a home’s sale price. 

MIDWEST AND SOUTHERN STATES DOMINATE HOUSING REPORT CARDS: SEE HOW YOURS SCORED

Zillow said sage green was one of the safest paint choices for sellers. (iStock / iStock)

Ochre yellow was the worst-performing color in the study. Using the dark gold color in the kitchen, living room, bedroom and bathroom could lower a home’s offer price by about $18,164.

A fire-hydrant red bathroom could reduce offers by nearly $8,000, while pale pink also performed poorly in every room studied, according to Zillow.

Lankston said paint can be a good starting point for sellers looking to improve their return on investment (ROI), but it should be part of a broader strategy. 

“Kitchens and bathrooms remain the foundational investments, and for sellers who want to go further, outdoor living spaces are delivering serious returns,” Lankston added. 

MORTGAGE RATES TICK HIGHER, BUT BUYERS SHOW SIGNS OF CONFIDENCE

A fresh coat of paint could help homeowners get a higher offer when selling their home. (iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images)

“Deck additions can see a high ROI for buyers who want those creature comforts of the indoors brought outside. Sellers who think strategically about where to put their dollars, starting with something as simple as a can of paint, can meaningfully move the needle on their final offer price.”

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Homeowners should talk to a local real estate agent before repainting because buyer preferences can vary by neighborhood, according to Zillow.

The study was conducted by Zillow’s behavioral science team and surveyed more than 4,400 recent and prospective homebuyers across the U.S.

The Royal Thai Navy seized over six million methamphetamine tablets smuggled across the Mekong River, highlighting ongoing efforts against transnational drug trafficking despite the escape of the perpetrators.

Key Points

• The Royal Thai Navy seized over six million methamphetamine tablets smuggled across the northern border along the Mekong River, following intelligence about narcotics trafficking into Thailand.
• During operations near Thai Charoen Village, officers observed a boat from a neighboring country discarding 17 sacks of methamphetamine marked with the Y1 stamp before fleeing. Law enforcement secured the evidence for further investigation.

The Royal Thai Navy announced the seizure of over six million methamphetamine tablets smuggled across the northern border along the Mekong River.

​Royal Thai Navy Spokesperson Rear Admiral Paraj Ratanajaipan stated that the Mekong Riverine Unit received intelligence about an attempt to smuggle narcotics into the kingdom. The cargo was tracked to riverbanks near Thai Charoen Village in Wiang Kaen District, Chiang Rai Province, and operational forces were promptly deployed to monitor the area.

​During the operation, officers observed a boat from a neighboring country docked along the Mekong River bank. Items were thrown ashore before the boat quickly departed. Officers, together with local security and administrative agencies, then inspected the area.

​The inspection uncovered 17 sacks containing Category 1 narcotics, specifically methamphetamine pills marked with the Y1 stamp. Although the perpetrators escaped across the border, law enforcement secured the contraband and collected forensic evidence. The seized narcotics were transferred to investigators at the Wiang Kaen Provincial Police Station for further legal action.

​The spokesperson noted that this seizure demonstrates how transnational trafficking syndicates exploit border rivers to transport illicit drugs into Thailand. He emphasized that the Royal Thai Navy and allied security agencies remain fully coordinated, enforcing strict border surveillance and legal measures to dismantle trafficking routes, safeguard national security, and protect the public.

Source : Thai Navy Seizes Over 6 Million Meth Pills During Border Operation in Chiang Rai

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Gold prices climbed Wednesday, with spot gold reaching $4,379.50 per ounce, up $25.10 or 0.58 percent, as investors sought refuge in the precious metal amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, inflation concerns and uncertainty around Federal Reserve policy.

The gain follows a period of volatility in 2026, during which gold hit record highs above $5,500 per ounce earlier in the year before pulling back sharply. Wednesday’s advance reflects renewed safe-haven buying as markets digest mixed economic signals and potential shifts in monetary policy under the new Fed leadership.

Gold has served as a traditional hedge against inflation, currency fluctuations and geopolitical risks. Central bank purchases have provided strong structural support, with many institutions continuing to diversify reserves away from traditional holdings. Emerging market buyers in particular have driven demand, contributing to sustained interest even after the early-year peak.

Market Drivers and Recent Performance

Analysts attribute the latest uptick to several factors. Expectations around the Federal Reserve’s June meeting, chaired by Kevin Warsh, have kept markets cautious. Stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs data in recent weeks have tempered hopes for imminent rate cuts, boosting the dollar at times but also highlighting persistent inflation risks that favor gold.

Geopolitical developments, including Middle East dynamics and broader global tensions, have reinforced gold’s appeal. Investors view the metal as a reliable store of value when traditional assets face pressure. Central banks worldwide have signaled continued accumulation, with surveys showing record intent to increase gold reserves.

Year-to-date, gold has experienced significant swings. After surging to all-time highs in January, prices corrected by more than 20 percent at points, testing support levels near $4,100-$4,300. The current level around $4,379 represents a partial recovery, with analysts watching for sustained momentum above key technical thresholds.

Silver prices also moved higher in tandem, reflecting broader precious metals demand. Industrial uses for silver in electronics and renewable energy sectors have complemented investment flows.

Central Bank Role and Long-Term Outlook

Central bank buying remains a dominant theme. The World Gold Council and other reports indicate robust demand from institutions seeking diversification. Projections from major banks like J.P. Morgan suggest gold could push toward $6,000 per ounce by year-end under supportive scenarios involving persistent inflation and geopolitical risks.

This outlook aligns with broader forecasts. Goldman Sachs and others anticipate continued upward pressure into 2026 and beyond, driven by structural shifts in global reserves and investor portfolios. However, near-term volatility persists, with some analysts warning of potential consolidation if U.S. economic data strengthens further.

Physical demand in major markets like India and China has shown resilience, though seasonal factors and price sensitivity influence retail buying patterns. Exchange-traded funds tracking gold have seen mixed flows, with some outflows during the correction phase followed by renewed interest.

Investment Implications

For investors, gold offers portfolio diversification benefits. Its low correlation with stocks and bonds makes it attractive during periods of market stress. Financial advisors often recommend allocations of 5-10 percent in precious metals as a hedge, particularly for those concerned about long-term inflation or currency devaluation.

Retail investors can access gold through physical bullion, coins, ETFs or mining stocks. Recent price action has drawn attention from both long-term holders and tactical traders. Options and futures markets show active positioning around current levels.

Challenges include opportunity costs when interest rates remain elevated, as non-yielding gold competes with interest-bearing assets. Storage and insurance costs for physical holdings also factor into decisions. Despite these, many view current valuations as reasonable following the pullback from peaks.

Broader Economic Context

Gold’s performance intersects with several macroeconomic trends. Government debt levels globally have risen, prompting some investors to favor hard assets. Currency dynamics, including periods of dollar weakness, have historically supported higher gold prices.

Inflation readings remain a focal point. Recent CPI data has shown stickiness above targets in some categories, reinforcing gold’s role as an inflation hedge. Meanwhile, fiscal policy debates and potential stimulus measures could further influence investor sentiment.

The mining sector has responded to price movements, with producers benefiting from higher realizations while managing cost pressures. Exploration and development projects continue, though regulatory and environmental considerations add complexity.

Technical Outlook

From a charting perspective, gold has found support in the $4,300 area after testing lower levels. Resistance sits near recent highs around $4,500-$4,600. Analysts monitor moving averages and key Fibonacci retracement levels for clues on next moves. A break above $4,500 could signal renewed bullish momentum, while a drop below $4,300 might test lower supports.

Volume and open interest in futures contracts provide additional insights. Wednesday’s trading showed solid participation, consistent with ongoing interest in the metal.

Risks and Considerations

While the long-term case for gold remains constructive for many, risks abound. Stronger U.S. growth could support the dollar and pressure gold. Faster disinflation might accelerate rate cut expectations in ways that temporarily weigh on the metal. Geopolitical de-escalation could also reduce safe-haven flows.

Investors are advised to maintain diversified approaches and avoid over-concentration. Dollar-cost averaging into positions can help manage volatility. Professional guidance is recommended for those new to commodity investments.

As markets evolve, gold’s role as a strategic asset endures. Wednesday’s modest gain to $4,379.50 underscores its resilience even after a corrective phase. With central bank support and macroeconomic uncertainties in play, the metal is likely to remain in focus for investors seeking stability in an unpredictable global environment.

Looking ahead, key events such as further Fed communications, inflation reports and international developments will shape price direction. For now, the yellow metal continues to attract attention as both a tactical trade and a long-term holding in uncertain times.

Nicole Gallanis

Hello, everyone, and welcome to our U.S. Customs Market Update webinar. Thank you for joining us today. We are going to go through a U.S. customs market update with our team. And before we start, we’re going to go through a few ground rules and just how the webinar will run and cover some questions that we often get, and then we’ll hand it over to our experts to go through the content.

And then finally, end if we have some time with some question and answer, normally, we go right to the end. So if we don’t cover your question today, we will certainly follow up after the webinar. My name is Nicole Gallanis. I’m new or I’m covering for Samantha, who you normally see on these webinars today.

So she is out on vacation. So if you do have any questions or don’t receive the survey after the webinar, that’s usually how we will distribute the content to you. So if you don’t receive that, you can certainly reach out to me, and I will make sure that you get a copy of the materials that we shared. If you are hearing an echo, you might have — you might be joined on multiple devices.

So please make sure that you are only joined from your one device. We often get that feedback as well. And if you do have any questions, please put those into the Q&A window at the bottom of your screen. Our team

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