Asian Stocks Rally as Fed Rate Hike Fears Ease 
US Stock Futures Mixed as Strong Jobs Data Boosts Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Yen Rallies on BOJ Bets 
Asian Currencies Rise as Yen Surges on Fed Rate Outlook 
Japan, US Target AI and Chips in $550 Billion Investment Push 
Iran Plans New Gulf Restricted Zone as Hormuz Tensions Push Oil Higher 
U.S. Payrolls Seen Rebounding in August as Labor Market Stays Soft 
ECB Set for September Rate Hike as Energy Prices Fuel Inflation 
Chinese AI Stocks Rally After OpenAI Launches GPT-6 Astra 
Gold Prices Hold Near $4,500 as Fed Rate Hike Bets Ease 
European Stocks Flat as Iran Tensions, ECB Rate Hike Loom 
China to Inject $45 Billion Into State Financial Institutions 
JPMorgan Sees ECB Raising Rates to 2.75% in December 
Jefferies Names 6 Top India Stock Picks Across Key Sectors 
Singapore Straits Times Index Hits Record High as Banks, Property Stocks Rally 
Hong Kong Eyes Offshore Yuan Expansion, Deeper China Market Links 
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Asian stock markets opened the week on a positive note, with major indices in Japan and South Korea reaching record highs, supported by strong momentum from U.S. equities. However, gains across the region were tempered by rising oil prices and ongoing uncertainty surrounding U.S.-Iran negotiations.
Investor sentiment was boosted after Wall Street posted fresh records, with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 closing at all-time highs. This strong U.S. performance fueled demand for technology and AI-related stocks in Asia, particularly semiconductor companies. U.S. stock futures remained largely unchanged during Monday’s Asian trading session, reflecting cautious optimism ahead of key economic events.
South Korea’s KOSPI index surged 2.3% to hit a new record, driven by robust gains in major chipmakers. SK Hynix shares jumped more than 6%, reaching an all-time high, while Samsung Electronics advanced 2.5%. The KOSPI has climbed nearly 5% in the past week, supported by strong semiconductor earnings and continued growth in artificial intelligence technologies.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 also reached a historic peak, rising up to 1.6%, while the broader TOPIX index gained 0.7%. Market participants are closely watching the Bank of Japan’s policy meeting, where the central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates steady at 0.75%. Investors are particularly focused on forward guidance, with speculation growing around a potential rate hike in the coming months due to persistent inflation pressures.
Despite the bullish equity performance, concerns over global oil supply weighed on broader market sentiment. Brent crude prices remained elevated above $107 per barrel as U.S.-Iran talks stalled and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz raised supply risks. Geopolitical tensions continue to influence market dynamics, adding uncertainty to the outlook.
Elsewhere in Asia, markets showed mixed performance. China’s Shanghai Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index remained flat, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index declined 0.5% and Australia’s ASX 200 slipped 0.2%. India’s Nifty 50 futures posted modest gains, reflecting cautious optimism.
Overall, Asian markets remain supported by strong global cues and tech sector growth, but rising oil prices and geopolitical risks continue to cap broader gains.
