U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Asian stock markets traded mixed on Wednesday amid rising geopolitical tensions and investor caution ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index led regional losses, falling over 1% as risk sentiment weakened due to escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Both nations exchanged missile strikes for a sixth consecutive day, with concerns intensifying after reports that U.S. President Donald Trump was considering military options against Tehran.
Trump’s comments demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and asserting U.S. air superiority further rattled investors, contributing to a cautious market tone across Asia. Chinese markets also declined, with the Shanghai Composite down 0.5% and the CSI 300 shedding 0.4%. Singapore’s Straits Times Index dipped 0.5%, while Indonesia’s benchmark index slipped 0.1%. Australia’s ASX 200 and India’s Nifty 50 Futures remained largely flat.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 bucked the trend, gaining 0.7% to reach a four-month high, supported by a weaker yen amid surging oil prices. The broader TOPIX index rose 0.5%. Despite the gains, Japan’s trade data revealed a 1.7% drop in exports for May, marking the first annual decline in nine months. Exports to the U.S. plummeted 11.1%, reflecting the impact of steep U.S. tariffs on Japanese vehicles and industrial goods.
South Korea’s KOSPI also outperformed, rising 0.7%. Meanwhile, U.S. stock futures hovered in a narrow range, with investors awaiting signals from the Federal Reserve. While no rate hike is expected, market participants will closely watch for policy guidance and updated economic forecasts amid signs of slowing retail sales and growing recession concerns.
The overall market mood remained cautious, shaped by geopolitical uncertainty and macroeconomic headwinds.
