South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
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 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
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.
