Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Asian Stocks Slide as Nikkei Leads Losses on Tech Selloff and Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Asian markets rose on Tuesday, brushing off fresh U.S. tariff threats after President Donald Trump signaled a willingness to negotiate. Despite weak cues from Wall Street, investor sentiment in Asia improved as Trump delayed the start date for new tariffs to August 1 and hinted at ongoing trade discussions.
South Korea’s KOSPI led regional gains, climbing 0.7% thanks to a 2.5% rally in SK Hynix shares, which surged after Samsung Electronics warned of disappointing second-quarter earnings. In contrast, Samsung shares slipped around 1%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 was flat, while the TOPIX edged slightly lower.
Trump unveiled plans for 25% tariffs on goods from South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia, and higher levies on others—Thailand (36%) and Indonesia (32%). However, his comment that the August 1 deadline wasn’t “100% firm” sparked optimism that some countries could reach trade deals with Washington before tariffs take effect.
Malaysian stocks fell 0.7%, while Indonesia's benchmark dipped 0.2%. Still, broader Asian markets gained on hopes of a softer stance. China’s CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite rose 0.3% and 0.2%, respectively. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 0.3%, and Singapore’s Straits Times inched up 0.1%. Indian Gift Nifty 50 Futures also rose 0.1%, boosted by progress on a potential U.S.-India trade agreement.
Australian markets remained cautious ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy decision. The ASX 200 dipped 0.1% as traders awaited a widely expected 25-basis-point rate cut to 3.60%—the third this year. While recent inflation and growth data support easing, Westpac analysts cautioned that a cut is not guaranteed due to global economic uncertainties.
Overall, markets remained resilient as hopes for continued U.S. trade negotiations offered some relief.
