UN Chief Urges Nations to Close $100 Million UNRWA Funding Gap 
NATO Albania Summit Faces Uncertainty as Trump, Defense Spending Concerns Loom 
Economic pessimism has set in – but there are reasons for Australians to be hopeful 
China Sets 1.25% Overnight Reverse Repo Rate Below Market Expectations 
Asian Currencies Stay Range-Bound as Investors Eye China Data, RBNZ Outlook and U.S.-Iran Ceasefire 
Canada Grants C$7 Million to Greenland Molybdenum Mine to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply 
Yen Falls to 40-Year Low as Markets Watch Japan Intervention and U.S. Jobs Report 
Chip Stocks Rally as Samsung and SK Hynix’s $1.3 Trillion Investment Plan Boosts AI Optimism 
Gold Price Drops to Eight-Month Low as Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Bullion. Source: Photo by Michael Steinberg via Pexels 
China Manufacturing PMI Edges Higher in June as Exports and AI Investment Boost Growth 
Central Banks Eye Gold, Reduce Dollar Exposure as AI Adoption Accelerates: OMFIF Survey 
U.S. Stocks End Q2 Higher as Strong Jobs Data and AI Rally Lift Wall Street 
Wall Street Futures Rise Ahead of JOLTS Data, Nike Earnings, and U.S.-Iran Talks 
Argentina Economy Shrinks 1.5% in April, Recovery Under Milei Loses Momentum 
Global Financial Firms Shift Asia Expansion Focus to South Korea as China, India Face Caution 
Trump Questions Housing Bill as He Prioritizes SAVE America Act 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
Asian Stocks Surge, Dollar Hits 7-Week High
Asian stocks surged on Monday, with the dollar reaching a seven-week peak against the yen. The rally was sparked by robust U.S. labor data, easing recession fears and reducing expectations for rate cuts.
U.S. Treasury Yields & Job Growth
Short-term U.S. Treasury yields rose after U.S. non-farm payrolls data reported the highest job growth in six months. The strong labor market sent Dow futures slightly higher, pointing to continued gains.
Stock Market Highlights
- Japan’s Nikkei: Up 2%, supported by a weaker yen.
- Australia’s Benchmark: Rose 0.12%.
- South Korea’s Kospi: Increased by 0.29%.
- MSCI Asia-Pacific Index: Climbed 0.4%.
Crude Oil & Geopolitical Tensions
Oil prices dipped from recent highs, despite escalating tensions in the Middle East. Brent crude fell to $77.40 per barrel, and U.S. crude dropped to $73.85 per barrel.
Currency Market Movements
The U.S. dollar hit 149.10 yen, the highest since August, while the euro eased to $1.0971. Japan's top currency official pledged to monitor forex movements closely.
Federal Reserve & Interest Rates
Bets on a larger Federal Reserve rate cut in November faded, with traders now predicting a quarter-point reduction or no change, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
Treasury Yields & Gold Prices
The two-year U.S. Treasury yield reached its highest in over a month at 3.9488%. Gold edged slightly lower to $2,649.29 an ounce.
