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Wall Street Ends Lower as AI Stocks Drag Markets, Fed Rate Outlook Shifts 
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Gold Price Falls as Fed Rate Hike Fears and U.S.-Iran Tensions Weigh on Bullion 
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Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Asian Currencies Stay Range-Bound as Investors Eye China Data, RBNZ Outlook and U.S.-Iran Ceasefire 
Gold Prices Rise Above $4,000 as Inflation Data and Weaker Dollar Boost Demand 
South Korea’s KOSPI Plunges as Apple Price Hikes and OpenAI IPO Delay Shake AI Chip Stocks 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
Asian Markets Gain as China’s Fiscal Stimulus Talks Begin
Most Asian stocks rose on Monday, driven by investor anticipation of further fiscal stimulus discussions from China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee meeting. However, market gains were tempered by risk aversion ahead of the U.S. elections and the Federal Reserve meeting this week.
Low Trading Volumes and Market Sentiment
Trading volumes were light due to a public holiday in Japan, with the Nikkei 225 futures slipping 0.2%. Asian markets were buoyed by Friday’s U.S. nonfarm payroll report, which came in softer than expected, fueling speculation that a cooling U.S. job market might prompt further Federal Reserve rate cuts.
Chinese Stocks Upbeat on Fiscal Stimulus Expectations
China’s Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite indexes advanced 0.5% and 0.3%, respectively, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.7%. Investors are closely monitoring the NPC meeting, where the committee is anticipated to propose substantial fiscal spending, including potential debt issuance of up to $1.4 trillion. Such measures aim to address deflationary pressures and revitalize China’s struggling property sector.
Australia Stocks Rise, Eyes on Reserve Bank
Australia’s ASX 200 edged up 0.3%, as investors await Tuesday's Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) meeting. While the RBA is expected to maintain current rates, it may hint at hawkish policies due to persistent inflation. According to ANZ analysts, the bank does not anticipate beginning rate cuts until 2025.
Mixed Performance Across Asia
South Korea’s KOSPI led gains, rising 1.4% on strong chip stocks. In India, Nifty 50 futures indicated a flat start, with market focus shifting to upcoming earnings reports.
