Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Asian markets held firm on Monday despite rising geopolitical risks from the Israel-Iran conflict, which pushed oil prices higher and added uncertainty ahead of several key central bank meetings. Brent crude rose $1.11 to $75.34 a barrel, while U.S. crude added $1.05 to reach $74.03, extending last week’s 13% surge. The ongoing conflict raises fears of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil chokepoint.
While global tensions mounted, investors remained composed. MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan edged up 0.1%, with Japan’s Nikkei climbing 0.8% and South Korea gaining 0.5%. U.S. futures showed modest gains, with S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures up 0.1% and 0.2%, respectively.
Focus now turns to the Federal Reserve’s meeting this week. With oil-driven inflation risks rising, markets expect no change to the current 4.25%-4.5% rate band. Analysts, including JPMorgan’s Michael Feroli, anticipate the Fed’s updated "dot plot" will reflect only one rate cut in 2025, down from the previously forecasted two. Still, traders are betting on rate cuts starting in September, with two expected by year-end.
U.S. economic data, including retail sales on Tuesday and weekly jobless claims on Wednesday, will also influence sentiment. Meanwhile, European markets were slightly pressured due to energy import reliance, with EUROSTOXX 50 and DAX futures dipping.
The dollar gained 0.3% against the yen, while the euro slipped 0.1%. Oil-exporting currencies like the Norwegian crown hit multi-year highs. Gold rose 0.5% to $3,450 per ounce on safe-haven demand. Several central banks, including those in Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and Japan, are set to decide on interest rates this week, adding to the market’s cautious yet resilient tone.
