US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Asian Stocks Slide as Nikkei Leads Losses on Tech Selloff and Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
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.
