Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
BOJ May Raise Japan Growth Forecast While Keeping Focus on Inflation Risks 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Stronger Dollar Weighs, Yen Supported by GPIF Repatriation Hopes 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
US-Iran Strikes Escalate as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Dollar Eases as Middle East Conflict, Fed Outlook and Japan Pension Policy Drive FX Markets 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
EU Weighs New Trade Restrictions on Israeli West Bank Settlements 
Asian stock markets posted modest gains on Thursday, supported by strength in technology and semiconductor stocks, while Chinese equities retreated as investors closely monitored the high-profile meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Regional investors took positive cues from Wall Street after U.S. markets closed at record highs overnight, driven largely by strong performances in chipmakers and major technology companies. Market sentiment remained relatively resilient despite ongoing concerns surrounding the Iran conflict and its potential impact on global inflation and oil supply.
Chinese stocks underperformed compared to other Asian markets, with the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 index dropping 0.8% and the Shanghai Composite declining 0.7%. The pullback came after both indexes recently touched multi-year highs, triggering profit-taking among investors ahead of the closely watched Trump-Xi summit.
The meeting between the U.S. and Chinese leaders is expected to focus on critical geopolitical and economic issues, including trade tariffs, artificial intelligence development, and Taiwan-related tensions. President Trump arrived in Beijing alongside several prominent U.S. business executives, raising optimism that diplomatic engagement could improve relations between the world’s two largest economies.
Elsewhere in Asia, markets saw mixed movement. Japan’s Nikkei 225 and South Korea’s KOSPI both posted gains of around 0.2%, with the Korean market continuing its strong recent momentum. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbed 0.7%, boosted by a sharp rally in Alibaba shares after the company announced plans to significantly increase investment in artificial intelligence over the next three years.
Meanwhile, Australia’s ASX 200 slipped 0.1%, extending its losing streak as investors remained cautious over inflation risks linked to the Iran conflict. Singapore’s Straits Times Index and India’s Nifty 50 futures also edged lower amid concerns about elevated crude oil prices and potential supply disruptions.
