Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
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 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Asian stocks advanced on Wednesday, lifted by Wall Street’s record highs and optimism around potential policy shifts in Japan after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation. Investors also weighed fresh inflation data from China, which highlighted persistent deflationary pressures in the world’s second-largest economy.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 0.5%, hovering near a record 44,185.7 points hit on Tuesday, while the broader TOPIX rose 0.4%. Ishiba’s resignation following heavy election losses has fueled speculation that his successor could adopt more expansionary fiscal and monetary policies. Sentiment was further boosted by confirmation of a U.S.-Japan trade deal set to reduce tariffs on auto exports by mid-September.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index surged 1.2% to a four-year high, supported by a 2% jump in the Hang Seng TECH index, tracking strength in the Nasdaq’s latest record close. South Korea’s KOSPI climbed 1.5%, led by strong gains in chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which rose 1.5% and 5% respectively. Singapore’s Straits Times Index also gained over 1%.
However, China’s economic outlook weighed on mainland stocks. Data showed consumer prices fell more than expected in August, while producer prices dropped for the 35th straight month, reflecting deep-rooted deflationary pressures despite government stimulus. The Shanghai Composite slipped 0.1%, and the CSI 300 fell 0.2%.
Elsewhere in the region, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged 0.2% higher, while India’s Nifty 50 futures rose 0.4%, signaling modest gains at the open.
Overall, Asian markets mirrored Wall Street’s bullish tone, with investors eyeing a possible Federal Reserve rate cut next week as a key driver for global equities.
