US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
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 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
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.
