Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low; Gold Falls and Oil Mixed 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
US Stock Futures Recover as Iran Signals Progress in Peace Talks 
Gold Price Rises as Investors Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks and Fed Policy Outlook 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rates Unchanged for 13th Straight Month as Policymakers Prioritize Credit Demand Recovery 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
Most Asian stocks edged higher on Wednesday, led by strong gains in Chinese markets after news of upcoming U.S.-China trade talks boosted hopes for easing trade tensions. The Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 indexes each rose 0.5%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng surged 1.5%, outperforming regional peers.
The positive momentum followed confirmation that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will meet Chinese officials in Switzerland this week. This marks the most concrete step toward deescalation since the trade war intensified in April, although steep tariffs on both sides remain in place. Investor sentiment was also supported by the People’s Bank of China’s move to cut banks’ reserve requirements, signaling more stimulus for the economy.
Despite overnight losses on Wall Street, U.S. stock index futures rebounded in Asian trading, with S&P 500 Futures up 0.6%, driven by optimism over renewed trade dialogue. However, markets remained cautious ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision later in the day, with expectations of steady interest rates and no immediate policy changes.
Indian markets were in focus after military tensions with Pakistan escalated. Despite the conflict, Gift Nifty 50 Futures rose 0.5%, pointing to a resilient open. India claimed strikes on terrorist camps, while Pakistan reported retaliatory actions, including the downing of five Indian aircraft.
Elsewhere in Asia, broader markets saw modest gains. Japan’s Nikkei 225 and TOPIX rose 0.3% and 0.4%, respectively. South Korea’s KOSPI added 0.4%, and Australia’s ASX 200 gained 0.2%. However, Singapore’s Straits Times Index slipped 0.2%, dragged down by United Overseas Bank after disappointing earnings.
Overall, trade optimism and monetary easing supported Asian equities, despite lingering geopolitical and economic risks.
