Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Most Asian currencies traded within a narrow range on Monday, reflecting cautious sentiment as investors awaited key economic data from the United States and China. The Japanese yen edged slightly higher after Japan’s finance ministry stepped up warnings about potential currency market intervention, offering temporary support to the battered currency.
Despite the modest gains, the yen continued to nurse recent losses against the U.S. dollar. Ongoing concerns over Japan’s stretched fiscal position remained a key drag, especially after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured a decisive landslide victory in Sunday’s lower house elections. Her ruling coalition’s new supermajority has cleared the way for expansive fiscal spending plans, which markets fear could further strain government finances and pressure the yen.
The USD/JPY pair slipped around 0.2% to trade near 156.87, after earlier losses of up to 0.5%. Japanese officials, including Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, warned that authorities were closely monitoring currency markets and coordinating with the U.S. Treasury, raising speculation about possible intervention if the yen weakens further toward the 160 level. Analysts noted that while intervention talk can slow yen losses, worries about fiscal expansion continue to cap any sustained recovery.
Across the region, broader Asian currencies remained subdued as the recent rebound in the U.S. dollar cooled. The dollar index eased slightly after hitting multi-week highs, with traders reluctant to take aggressive positions ahead of major U.S. economic releases. This week’s nonfarm payrolls and consumer price index data are expected to provide fresh insight into inflation trends and the future path of U.S. interest rates under the Federal Reserve’s new leadership outlook.
In China, the yuan hovered near its weakest levels since mid-2023, even as the People’s Bank of China continued to offer support through strong daily fixings. Markets are now focused on upcoming Chinese inflation data for clues on economic momentum ahead of the Lunar New Year.
Elsewhere, the Australian dollar strengthened modestly as expectations grew for further Reserve Bank of Australia rate hikes following a recent hawkish policy move. The Singapore dollar was flat, while the South Korean won and Indian rupee posted slight moves, reflecting regional caution and central bank policy signals.
