Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
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BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
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China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Austria’s AA Credit Rating Affirmed as Fitch Highlights Stable Outlook 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Asian stocks edged higher on Wednesday, supported by South Korea's political shift and optimism in tech stocks, even as global markets remain tense over escalating U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium.
South Korea's KOSPI surged over 2%—its highest since August 2024—following liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung’s presidential win, which raised hopes for swift economic stimulus and regulatory reforms. The Korean won also strengthened, reflecting investor confidence. MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan rose 0.6%, while Japan’s Nikkei gained 0.8% and Taiwan climbed 1.6%, buoyed by Nvidia’s rally on Wall Street.
Market sentiment, however, remained cautious ahead of a potential call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Tensions have resurfaced after Trump accused China of violating a tariff rollback deal. In response, Beijing pledged to defend its interests.
China’s markets were muted, with the blue-chip index up 0.09% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gaining 0.27%. Analysts warned that despite investor fatigue over trade news, further escalation could drive risk aversion.
Adding to market concerns, the U.S. implemented a tariff hike on steel and aluminium to 50% starting Wednesday, dubbed “Liberation Day” tariffs. Investors fear these could be a precursor to broader protectionist measures. The OECD revised its global growth forecast down to 2.9% for 2025–2026, citing the impact of trade tensions.
The U.S. dollar weakened, slipping 0.17% against the yen and 0.1% against the Swiss franc, while the euro rose 0.15%. The dollar index hovered near a six-week low, down 8.5% year-to-date.
In commodities, Brent crude dipped to $65.59, while gold jumped 0.5% to $3,369.59 per ounce, up 28% in 2025, driven by safe-haven demand.
