Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Dollar Eases as Middle East Conflict, Fed Outlook and Japan Pension Policy Drive FX Markets 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Asian stock markets traded cautiously on Tuesday as investors reacted to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to postpone a planned military strike on Iran, easing fears of an immediate escalation in the Middle East conflict. The announcement pushed oil prices lower and helped stabilize global bond markets after a sharp selloff.
Trump stated that Washington paused military action to allow negotiations with Tehran to continue after Iran reportedly delivered a new peace proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. He also expressed optimism that the United States could secure a nuclear agreement preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Despite the temporary relief, market sentiment remained fragile following a recent drone attack in the United Arab Emirates, which heightened concerns over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route. Analysts noted that investors remain skeptical until shipping traffic in the region returns to normal.
Brent crude oil futures dropped more than 2% to $109.41 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude slipped 1.3% to $107.25. Even with the decline, oil prices remain significantly above pre-conflict levels, fueling ongoing inflation concerns worldwide.
Asian equities showed mixed performance, with Japan’s Nikkei index gaining 1%, while South Korea’s Kospi fell 2%. MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index outside Japan declined 0.22%. U.S. futures were also subdued ahead of Nvidia’s highly anticipated earnings report, which investors view as a key test for the artificial intelligence-driven stock rally.
Meanwhile, bond markets found some relief as falling oil prices eased inflation fears. U.S. Treasury yields pulled back slightly from recent highs, while Japanese government bond yields also retreated after surging in previous sessions.
In currency markets, the U.S. dollar remained strong against the Japanese yen, trading near 159 yen, increasing speculation about possible intervention from Japanese authorities. Gold prices edged lower as higher bond yields reduced demand for the safe-haven asset.
