ECB Set for September Rate Hike as Energy Prices Fuel Inflation 
UK House Prices Fall for First Time Since 2023 
Uranium Prices Could Top $100 as Nuclear Demand Grows 
Japan, U.S. Stay Aligned on Yen as Currency Surges 
Japan GDP Growth Beats Forecast, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Bets 
Oil Prices Climb as Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Infrastructure 
Gold Prices Rise as Yen Rally Weakens Dollar 
Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Assets as U.S. Tensions Escalate 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Yen Rallies on BOJ Bets 
Jefferies Names 6 Top India Stock Picks Across Key Sectors 
Hormuz Shipping Slows as Iran Threats Lift Oil Risks 
China Boosts Gold Reserves by 650,000 Ounces as Prices Rally 
China Exports Surge 25% in August as Trade Surplus Hits $119 Billion 
Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Tensions Threaten Supply 
China to Inject $45 Billion Into State Financial Institutions 
Canada Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Goods Take Effect 
Hungary Industrial Output Beats Forecasts With 4.7% July Growth 
Add as a preferred source on Google
Asian stock markets declined on Friday as investors pulled back from risk assets, pressured by concerns over elevated technology valuations and persistent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Despite strong quarterly earnings from AI giant Nvidia, market sentiment remained cautious, driving demand for safe-haven assets such as the Japanese yen, U.S. Treasuries, and gold.
Japan’s Nikkei index dropped 0.8%, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street, while MSCI’s broad Asia-Pacific index outside Japan fell 0.4%. Nvidia reported better-than-expected January-quarter results and issued an upbeat revenue forecast, yet investors appeared reluctant to push the stock higher at its current valuation. U.S. equity futures also edged lower in Asian trading, with S&P 500 E-minis down 0.41% and Nasdaq 100 E-minis off 0.36%, reflecting broader caution around AI stocks and tech sector valuations.
Geopolitical uncertainty further dampened investor confidence. Talks between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program showed tentative progress, according to Oman’s foreign minister, but no clear breakthrough emerged. Markets continue to price in the risk of potential U.S. military action, keeping oil prices volatile. U.S. crude rose slightly to $65.27 per barrel as traders adopted a wait-and-see approach.
Currency markets showed modest movement. The dollar index inched up to 97.77, while the yen strengthened 0.2% to 155.86 per dollar. The euro and British pound remained largely stable. U.S. 10-year Treasury yields slipped to 4.002%, signaling ongoing demand for safer assets.
In Asia, economic data from Japan revealed cooling inflation in Tokyo and weaker factory output, complicating the Bank of Japan’s policy outlook. Meanwhile, China’s central bank announced it would remove foreign exchange risk reserves for certain forward contracts, lowering dollar-buying costs and supporting the yuan.
Gold held near recent highs, while cryptocurrencies saw mild declines, with bitcoin trading around $67,290 and ether near $2,016, underscoring broader market caution.
