China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Asian markets traded mixed on Thursday as investor caution persisted amid ongoing uncertainty over U.S. trade tariffs and interest rate outlooks. Chipmaking stocks led losses, with attention centered on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), which is set to report second-quarter earnings later today.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.3%, while the TOPIX index was flat. Trade data showed continued weakness in exports due to U.S. tariffs on steel and automobiles. South Korea’s KOSPI dropped 0.4%, weighed down by a sharp 8% plunge in SK Hynix after a downgrade from Goldman Sachs. Samsung Electronics bucked the trend, rising 1.7%. Japan’s Tokyo Electron and Advantest both lost around 2%, while China’s SMIC edged slightly higher.
TSMC fell 0.9% in Taiwan trade ahead of its earnings release. Investors are focused on guidance updates amid U.S. tariff risks and currency volatility, despite expectations of strong AI-driven performance.
ASML’s cautious 2026 outlook pressured the broader chip sector, with the Dutch firm citing delayed investment decisions due to trade tensions, even as AI demand boosted Q2 bookings.
In Australia, the ASX 200 surged 0.7%, nearing record highs. Weaker-than-expected June jobs data fueled expectations of further rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia, boosting tech and cyclical shares. Macquarie analysts expressed a bullish outlook on Australian equities, citing global easing trends.
China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 saw modest gains, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng remained steady after recent tech-fueled rallies. Singapore’s Straits Times Index rose 0.3% on strong June export data. Indian Nifty 50 futures were flat. U.S. S&P 500 futures edged down 0.2% in Asian trading after mixed signals from Wall Street, where bank earnings failed to offset economic concerns. Netflix is scheduled to report results later today.
