RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Asian stock markets opened the week with mixed performance, as investors weighed optimism over a U.S.–EU trade deal against caution ahead of major central bank meetings and corporate earnings. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1% after touching one-year highs last week, pressured by uncertainty surrounding the Bank of Japan’s upcoming rate decision. The broader TOPIX slipped 0.5%, with analysts expecting the BoJ to hold rates at 0.5% but potentially hint at future hikes following the recent U.S.–Japan trade agreement.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index gained 0.5%, leading regional advances after an early 1% jump, while China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 indexes slipped 0.2% each amid tempered optimism over ongoing trade talks with the U.S. in Stockholm. According to reports, Washington and Beijing may extend their tariff truce for another three months ahead of the August 12 deadline, easing fears of renewed tensions.
South Korea’s KOSPI traded flat, but Samsung Electronics surged over 3% following news of a $16.5 billion semiconductor supply contract, reportedly with Tesla. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.3%, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index dipped 0.2%. India’s Nifty 50 edged lower, whereas the Philippines’ PSEi Composite rallied 1.3%.
Global sentiment remained cautiously upbeat, buoyed by Wall Street’s record highs last week and rising U.S. stock futures in Asian trading. Investors are closely monitoring the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting beginning Tuesday and key earnings from tech giants including Apple and Microsoft. The U.S.–EU framework agreement, which reduces tariffs on European goods to 15% from 30%, also supported broader market confidence amid ongoing global trade negotiations.
