Oil Prices Slip as Hormuz Shipping Progress and Rising U.S. Crude Stocks Weigh on Market 
Dollar Holds Near Six-Week Low as Yen Loses Momentum Ahead of U.S. Jobs Data 
Gold Price Holds Steady as Fed Rate Outlook and Jobs Data Keep Markets on Edge 
German Bund Yields Hit Three-Week Low as Energy Prices Ease and ECB Outlook Softens 
US Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rally Continues Despite SpaceX and AMD Earnings Pressure 
Oil Prices Surge as Iran Hormuz Restrictions Renew Supply Fears 
Singapore Says One-Third of U.S. Exports Hit by New 12.5% Tariff 
Gold Price Hits Seven-Week High as Fed Rate Hike Bets Fade and Hormuz Deal Hopes Grow 
BOJ Minutes Signal More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Grow 
European Stocks Near Record Highs as Earnings Strength Offsets Geopolitical Concerns 
Asian Stocks Slide as Semiconductor Selloff Weighs on South Korea and Japan 
Gold Prices Steady as Hormuz Tensions Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as US Dollar Nears Seven-Week Low Ahead of Key Jobs Data 
Indonesia Q2 2026 GDP Growth Beats Forecast Despite Market Concerns 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Optimism Lifts Tech Shares Across Regional Markets 
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Talks Progressing as Hopes Rise for Strait of Hormuz Reopening 
Asian stocks traded cautiously on Friday as investors awaited crucial U.S. jobs data that could shape expectations for the Federal Reserve’s next interest-rate decision. Meanwhile, renewed Middle East tensions pushed oil prices higher, adding another source of uncertainty for global markets.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was little changed and headed for a 0.4% weekly decline. Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.9% but remained on track for a 1.2% weekly gain. South Korea’s KOSPI dropped 0.5%, extending its weekly loss to 5% and putting the index on course for a seventh consecutive weekly decline. China’s CSI 300 gained 0.2%.
Investor attention has shifted to the U.S. nonfarm payrolls report following recent volatility surrounding the AI-driven stock market rally. Economists expect the U.S. economy to have added about 80,000 jobs in July, compared with 57,000 in June, while unemployment is forecast to remain at 4.2%.
The employment figures could significantly influence Federal Reserve rate expectations. A stronger-than-expected jobs report could keep interest rates elevated for longer, potentially lifting Treasury yields and pressuring equities. Weaker employment growth could have the opposite effect by strengthening expectations for a more dovish Fed policy stance.
U.S. stock futures were subdued, with Nasdaq futures little changed and S&P 500 futures down 0.1%. European equity futures also pointed toward a weaker opening.
Oil prices climbed as geopolitical risks intensified in the Middle East following attacks by Yemen’s Houthis on Saudi Arabia. Brent crude rose 1% to $83.38 per barrel after surging 3.8% in the previous session. Despite the rebound, Brent remained on track for a 7.5% weekly decline.
Iran is also reviewing proposed legislation that could restrict vessels from the U.S., Israel and other countries deemed hostile from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route.
Higher oil prices helped lift U.S. Treasury yields, while the dollar remained steady. USD/JPY traded around 158.51, keeping currency markets focused on the possibility of further volatility. Gold edged up to $4,243 an ounce, while silver gained to $61.78.
