IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Asian stock markets traded mixed on Friday as investors assessed contrasting signals from major central banks, while most regional indexes held steady ahead of key U.S. inflation data. Market sentiment was shaped by India’s rate cut, renewed expectations of a Bank of Japan hike, and anticipation surrounding the Federal Reserve’s next move.
In India, the Reserve Bank of India lowered its key repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25%, delivering a widely expected move aimed at supporting economic growth as inflation continues to ease. Governor Sanjay Malhotra noted that inflation had “eased significantly” and is likely to remain softer than previous forecasts. The central bank also upgraded its GDP growth outlook for FY26, reinforcing confidence in the country’s economic momentum. The Nifty 50 index responded modestly, ticking up 0.2% following the announcement. Although the rate cut was anticipated, earlier optimism had cooled due to strong economic performance and the rupee’s slide to record lows.
Japanese stocks moved in the opposite direction, with the Nikkei 225 dropping about 1.5% as traders grew increasingly convinced that the Bank of Japan may raise interest rates in December. Comments from BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda earlier in the week were viewed as hawkish, and a Reuters report indicated that policymakers could proceed with a hike with government tolerance, pressuring sentiment in Tokyo.
Across the broader Asian region, trading remained subdued as investors awaited the U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge. Jobless claims data from the U.S. showed a decline to 191,000, keeping rate-cut expectations intact. China’s CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite were little changed, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng edged 0.2% lower. South Korea’s KOSPI gained 0.7%, Singapore’s Straits Times Index slipped 0.4%, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 traded mostly flat.
This mix of policy shifts and cautious trading continues to shape investor outlook ahead of major economic updates.
