South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Asian stock markets rose on Friday, led by Japan, as a strong rally in U.S. tech and bank shares lifted investor sentiment. However, gains were capped by caution ahead of the July 9 deadline for potential new U.S. tariffs, despite signs of progress in U.S.-China trade talks.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 1.6%, hitting a five-month high, while the broader TOPIX gained 1.2%. Tech giants led the charge, with Tokyo Electron jumping 5%, Sony rising 2.6%, and SoftBank Group adding nearly 3%. The rally came even as Tokyo's June consumer price index rose less than expected, casting doubt on the Bank of Japan’s ability to continue raising interest rates. Tokyo’s inflation figures are seen as a key gauge for nationwide price trends.
Overnight, Wall Street posted solid gains with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closing just below record highs, fueled by tech and financial stocks. U.S. futures were flat during Asian hours, reflecting investor caution ahead of trade policy developments.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Lutnick stated that a U.S.-China trade deal outlined in Geneva has been finalized, with additional agreements involving 10 major partners expected soon. Meanwhile, a ceasefire between Israel and Iran continued to hold, easing concerns over global supply chains.
Across Asia, performance was mixed. China’s Shanghai Composite was flat, while the CSI 300 edged up 0.1%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.4%, and Australia’s ASX 200 hovered near record highs. Southeast Asian markets also gained, with the Philippines’ PSEi up 0.7% and Singapore’s STI advancing 0.6%. India’s Nifty 50 futures ticked 0.2% higher. South Korea’s KOSPI bucked the trend, falling 0.8% on profit-taking after a strong recent rally.
