Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
Asian Currencies Stay Range-Bound as Investors Eye China Data, RBNZ Outlook and U.S.-Iran Ceasefire 
Global Financial Firms Shift Asia Expansion Focus to South Korea as China, India Face Caution 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
Trump Questions Housing Bill as He Prioritizes SAVE America Act 
RBA Minutes Signal Australia Central Bank Remains Ready to Raise Interest Rates if Inflation Persists 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Asian Stocks End Strong Quarter as Dollar Surges, Yen Hits 40-Year Low Ahead of US Jobs Data 
Gold Price Falls as Fed Rate Hike Fears and U.S.-Iran Tensions Weigh on Bullion 
Central Banks Eye Gold, Reduce Dollar Exposure as AI Adoption Accelerates: OMFIF Survey 
World Bank Approves $1.1 Billion Emergency Funding for Bangladesh Amid Food and Energy Price Pressures 
US Stock Futures Rise as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Market Sentiment 
China Factory PMI Seen Returning to Growth in June as AI Export Demand Supports Economy 
Dollar Slips Ahead of Key U.S. Jobs Data as Fed Rate Outlook, ECB, and Iran Talks Shape Forex Markets 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Asian stock markets opened cautiously on Tuesday as investors weighed uncertainty surrounding the fragile Middle East ceasefire against renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence investments. Market sentiment remained mixed, with geopolitical risks limiting gains across regional equities despite positive developments in the AI sector.
MSCI’s broad Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan fluctuated between gains and losses during early trading before slipping 0.5%. South Korean stocks led regional declines, falling 2% after initially opening higher. Japan’s Nikkei 225 also moved lower, dropping 0.7%, while S&P 500 futures eased 0.3%.
Investor concerns were fueled by conflicting reports regarding diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. Iran recently announced the suspension of negotiations with the United States, although U.S. President Donald Trump later stated that discussions were continuing at a rapid pace. The uncertainty has contributed to increased volatility across global financial markets.
Oil prices remained elevated, with Brent crude trading near $95 per barrel. The market continues to monitor developments following Lebanon’s announcement of a partial ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, a move that could support broader diplomatic efforts aimed at easing regional tensions. Crude prices surged more than 4% in the previous session after reports suggested Iran had halted indirect talks with Washington.
In the United States, equities ended higher overnight. The S&P 500 gained 0.3% after the ISM Manufacturing PMI climbed to 54.0 in May from 52.7 in April, surpassing expectations and reaching its highest level in four years. The stronger data reflected increased business activity as companies accelerated orders amid supply concerns and rising costs linked to geopolitical instability.
AI-related stocks in Asia received support after artificial intelligence company Anthropic confidentially filed for a U.S. initial public offering, potentially targeting a trillion-dollar valuation. Meanwhile, Alphabet shares declined 0.7% after the company revealed plans to raise $80 billion to expand its AI infrastructure capabilities.
The U.S. dollar index held steady at 99.18, while the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield slipped to 4.455%. Gold prices edged down 0.1% to $4,479 per ounce. In cryptocurrency markets, Bitcoin traded at $71,232, while Ethereum remained largely unchanged near $2,002.
Investors are expected to remain focused on Middle East developments, AI industry growth, oil price movements, and upcoming economic data as key drivers of global market performance in 2026.
