Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
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 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Asian stocks traded mostly flat to lower on Tuesday as geopolitical tensions and central bank uncertainty kept investors cautious. Markets remained jittery after U.S. President Donald Trump called for the evacuation of Tehran, escalating fears of deeper U.S. involvement in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. Although the White House clarified it had no immediate plans for military action and was pushing for a ceasefire, the conflict entered its fifth day with no resolution in sight.
Adding to the unease, traders are bracing for several major central bank decisions this week. Most notably, the Bank of Japan is set to announce its interest rate decision later today, with expectations it will hold rates at 0.5%. However, investors are wary of potential hawkish commentary from Governor Kazuo Ueda amid persistent inflation in Japan. The BOJ is widely expected to raise rates in July if the inflation trend continues.
Japanese stocks outperformed the region, with the Nikkei 225 up 0.5% and the TOPIX gaining 0.2%, supported by tech shares and a weaker yen boosting exporters. In contrast, China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 dropped 0.3%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.4%.
South Korea’s KOSPI rose 0.5% on tech sector strength, extending gains amid hopes for political stability. Australia’s ASX 200 slipped 0.1%, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index climbed 0.4% despite a surprise contraction in May exports. India’s Gift Nifty 50 Futures edged down 0.1%, indicating a possible pullback after Monday’s rally.
Global markets are also awaiting the U.S. Federal Reserve's rate decision on Wednesday, alongside moves from the Swiss National Bank, Bank of England, and the People’s Bank of China—making this a pivotal week for financial markets.
