Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Dollar Eases as Middle East Conflict, Fed Outlook and Japan Pension Policy Drive FX Markets 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
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 
Asian stock markets mostly declined on Monday as investors turned cautious ahead of Nvidia’s highly anticipated earnings report later this week. Weak sentiment was further pressured by rising oil prices, growing Middle East tensions, and concerns over inflation after Wall Street closed lower on Friday.
Technology stocks led regional losses as traders waited for Nvidia’s results on Wednesday, which are expected to provide key signals about the future of the global artificial intelligence rally. Investor confidence in AI-related stocks has driven much of the market’s gains in recent months, making Nvidia earnings a major focus for global markets.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 1%, while the broader TOPIX index slipped 0.8%. Hong Kong stocks also struggled, with the Hang Seng Index falling 1.7% and the Hang Seng TECH Index tumbling 2.5% amid heavy selling in technology shares.
Chinese equities remained under pressure after disappointing economic data highlighted slowing growth. The CSI 300 Index lost 1%, while the Shanghai Composite declined 0.5%. China’s industrial output rose only 4.1% in April, missing market expectations, while retail sales increased just 0.2%, reflecting continued weakness in consumer demand and economic recovery.
Investor sentiment was also hurt by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Reports of a drone strike causing a fire at a UAE nuclear facility and Saudi Arabia intercepting drones over the weekend increased concerns about regional instability. U.S. President Donald Trump also issued strong warnings toward Iran, adding to market uncertainty.
Oil prices moved higher as shipping concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz raised fears of supply disruptions. Higher crude prices also renewed inflation worries, pressuring global equities.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 1.6%, Singapore’s Straits Times Index lost 0.6%, and India’s Nifty 50 futures pointed lower. South Korea’s KOSPI, however, outperformed regional markets, rising 0.2% as Samsung Electronics shares rebounded following positive developments in labor negotiations.
