Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage 
South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
Dollar Rises as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation and Rate Hike Fears 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Gold Prices Fall as US-Iran Conflict, Rising Oil Prices Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Asia Stocks Slip as Iran-Hormuz Tensions Lift Oil Prices, Dollar and Bond Yields 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
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 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.
