China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
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 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Asian stock markets opened higher on Monday as investors largely looked past recent U.S. military action in Venezuela and turned their attention to a busy week of global economic data releases. In the first full trading week of the year, market sentiment was supported by gains across regional equities, modest strength in U.S. futures, and a relatively stable outlook for oil prices.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose around 0.3%, reflecting cautious optimism among investors. At the same time, S&P 500 e-mini futures edged up 0.1%, suggesting a steady start for Wall Street. Market participants are closely assessing the potential implications of a dramatic weekend that saw the United States capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and place the country under temporary American control, as announced by President Donald Trump.
According to Neil Shearing, group chief economist at Capital Economics, the removal of Maduro is unlikely to have significant short-term economic consequences for the global economy. However, he noted that the political and geopolitical ramifications could be far-reaching, keeping investors alert to potential longer-term risks.
Oil prices were choppy as traders evaluated both the U.S. intervention in Venezuela and OPEC+’s decision to keep output unchanged. WTI crude futures fluctuated between gains and losses, last trading slightly higher at $57.36 per barrel. Analysts such as Marko Papic of BCA Research argued that a bearish outlook for oil prices is unlikely, citing Venezuela’s limited production capacity and the substantial investment required to restore output. He added that upside risks for oil prices could still emerge.
In equity markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 2.5% to a two-month high, while South Korea’s Kospi climbed 2% to reach a record level. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index extended its rally for a fifth consecutive session, and U.S. Treasury yields edged higher. Gold prices jumped 1%, underscoring continued demand for safe-haven assets, while Bitcoin and ether showed modest movement as crypto investors remained cautious.
Overall, global markets remain focused on economic data, geopolitical developments, and energy prices as the year begins.
