Gold Holds Near $4,400 as Fed Hike Bets Rise 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Yen Rallies on BOJ Bets 
US Stock Futures Mixed as Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Optimism Fuels Chipmaker Surge 
Japan Foreign Reserves Plunge $79.6 Billion After Record Yen Intervention 
Yen Rebounds as BOJ Rate Hike Bets Rise 
Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Assets as U.S. Tensions Escalate 
Uranium Prices Could Top $100 as Nuclear Demand Grows 
Oil Prices Climb as Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Infrastructure 
Asian Stocks Mixed as Korean Chipmakers Rally 
Jefferies Names 6 Top India Stock Picks Across Key Sectors 
Hungary Industrial Output Beats Forecasts With 4.7% July Growth 
Gold Prices Rise as Yen Rally Weakens Dollar 
UK House Prices Fall for First Time Since 2023 
Iran Plans New Gulf Restricted Zone as Hormuz Tensions Push Oil Higher 
Canada Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Goods Take Effect 
US Stock Futures Mixed as Strong Jobs Data Boosts Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Add as a preferred source on Google
Asian stock markets advanced on Friday as renewed optimism around artificial intelligence stocks lifted investor sentiment, while the U.S. dollar remained near a six-week high after strong American economic data reduced expectations for imminent interest rate cuts. The MSCI Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan rose 0.5%, hovering close to a record high reached in the previous session, supported by strong earnings from Taiwanese chip giant TSMC that revived confidence in the global AI boom.
The positive momentum followed a newly announced U.S.-Taiwan trade deal that lowers tariffs on several semiconductor exports and channels fresh investment into the U.S. technology sector, a move that could heighten geopolitical tensions with China. Technology and financial stocks also pushed Wall Street higher overnight, with Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures posting modest gains during Asian trading hours.
Market analysts noted that TSMC’s upbeat outlook helped reassure investors concerned about slowing capital expenditure and AI-related spending. While the results did not trigger a major rally, they provided stability to AI-linked equities that had underperformed in recent months. In contrast, Japan’s Nikkei index fell 0.42%, pressured by a modest recovery in the yen after it pulled back from an 18-month low.
In Europe, futures pointed lower, with EUROSTOXX 50 and FTSE futures edging down after European stocks closed at record highs on Thursday. Currency markets reflected continued dollar strength, as the greenback traded near 99.36 against a basket of currencies. The euro hovered near a six-week low, while sterling edged slightly lower.
Strong U.S. labor market data, including a drop in jobless claims, has led traders to scale back bets on Federal Reserve rate cuts. Markets now see a higher probability that rates will remain unchanged in April and June. Meanwhile, oil prices stabilized after sharp losses triggered by easing geopolitical fears surrounding Iran, while gold and silver retreated as safe-haven demand softened.
Overall, global markets remain focused on AI sector performance, central bank policy signals, and geopolitical developments shaping investor risk appetite.
