Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Asian shares edged higher on Wednesday, rounding off a strong finish to 2025 as artificial intelligence-driven optimism continued to fuel global equity markets. The positive momentum followed an overnight rally on Wall Street, where the S&P 500 closed at a fresh record, signaling the long-awaited Santa Claus rally had finally taken hold despite thin year-end liquidity.
Investor sentiment was supported by robust U.S. economic data showing the economy expanded much faster than expected in the third quarter. While the data lifted risk assets such as stocks, it put pressure on bonds, contributing to shifts across global asset classes.
Commodities remained the standout performers. Gold prices surged to another all-time high, with spot gold climbing 0.8% to $4,524 per ounce, marking an extraordinary 72% gain for the year. Silver also extended its bullish run, jumping 1.2% to a record $72.27 per ounce and posting an annual increase of nearly 150%, making it one of the best-performing assets of 2025. The rally in precious metals reflects strong demand driven by inflation hedging, central bank buying, and sustained investor interest.
Across Asian equity markets, MSCI’s broad Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan rose 0.3% and ended the year up 26%, its strongest annual performance since 2017. Japan’s Nikkei advanced 0.4% on the day and also gained 26% for the year, while South Korea emerged as the regional outperformer with a remarkable 72% annual surge, supported by technology and semiconductor stocks.
In currency markets, the Japanese yen strengthened for a third consecutive session amid renewed speculation of potential intervention by Japanese authorities. The U.S. dollar weakened to 155.78 yen, retreating from levels that previously triggered action. The euro held steady near $1.18 after climbing 14% this year, while the dollar was down roughly 10% against major peers in 2025.
U.S. Treasury yields reflected expectations of continued Federal Reserve rate cuts, with the two-year yield down sharply for the year and the 10-year yield also ending lower. Meanwhile, oil prices were largely unchanged in early trading but remained on track for a third straight annual decline, underscoring ongoing concerns about global demand.
