US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Asian Stocks Slide as Nikkei Leads Losses on Tech Selloff and Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Asian stock markets surged Tuesday following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a potential ceasefire between Israel and Iran, boosting investor confidence and risk appetite. South Korea’s KOSPI index led regional gains, jumping 2.5% as shares of Samsung Electronics rose 3.5%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index followed with a 1.8% increase, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed nearly 1%, and the TOPIX rose 0.8%.
Trump revealed the tentative ceasefire through a post on Truth Social, outlining a staged plan starting with a 12-hour pause from Iran, followed by a similar move from Israel, leading to a potential end to hostilities within 24 hours. The announcement came just days after U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and Tehran’s retaliatory missile attack on a U.S. base in Qatar. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that no ceasefire had been finalized.
Despite the uncertainty, markets responded positively. China’s Shanghai Composite rose 0.9%, while the CSI 300 gained 1.1%. Southeast Asian markets also advanced, with Singapore’s Straits Times Index up 0.5%, Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite surging over 2%, and the Philippines’ PSEi rallying 2%. India’s Nifty 50 Futures were also up 1% during Asian hours.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 1%, supported by strong corporate news. Rio Tinto and Hancock Prospecting announced a joint A$2.4 billion (US$1.61 billion) investment in the Hope Downs 2 iron ore project in Western Australia. Each firm will invest US$800 million, with expected annual output of 31 million tonnes by 2027. Rio Tinto’s shares rose on the news, contributing to broader market optimism.
